STOURBRIDGE traders say authorities must come up with concrete plans to cope with disruption during town centre Tesco building.

Plans for a massive new superstore on the site of the Crown Centre were approved in March and hailed as a vital boost for the town.

The scheme has been broadly welcomed but fears are growing about the impact on existing businesses by restricted parking when work begins.

At a meeting on Monday May 9, Dudley Council representatives were told the loss of Bell Street car park to make way for the development will be a blow and alternative spaces in The Ryemarket, Birmingham Street, Church Street and Red Hill were not suitable.

Traders argue much of the alternative provision is too far from the shopping area and not covered by CCTV while The Rymarket closes early, which would have an adverse effect on visitor numbers for evening events or facilities including The Crystal Leisure Centre.

The council is being urged to introduce measures including free parking during work, which seems likely to begin early next year and take around 18 months, amid concerns shoppers will switch to other centres including Merry Hill.

Stourbridge town centre manager, Hannah Rogers, says a consultation process is under way and she is expecting to hold another meeting with traders in June.

Hannah Rogers said: “We are putting a plan together to meet as many issues as possible, these were all points I had heard before. Some things traders would like are not going to be possible to do.

“It is important for everybody to support their town centre - if they want these facilities on their doorstep they need to use them.”