“They have done everything to stop people spending money in shops” were the words of one furious trader in Otley as he criticised planters which have been put outside his shop.
On One side of Kirkgate, in the north-Leeds town, there are a number of planters placed on the road in a space once reserved for parking.
Before they were put there by Leeds City Council, there were barriers put in place for a one way system during the pandemic.
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But now with life returning to normal, the planters have now been placed there and traders along the route say that it is starting to affect business and trade.
One of the traders, Steve Nelson, who runs The 20p Shop dubbed them a nightmare and raised concerns for disabled and elderly shoppers.
He said: “The planters stop people coming into the shops. During Covid we had the barriers. It seems like they (the council) have done everything to stop people spending money in shops and everything is closing down.
“People who are disabled or old can’t park by the shops because of the planters.
“When people are donating stuff (to his shop) they have to park across the street and run back and forth with the donations. It’s okay if you’re like 20 years old not 75, it's a nightmare.
“Otley used to be a vibrant market town with stalls all around.”
Steve isn’t the only person who has been left frustrated by the planters, Graham Ellison who works at a shop on the street said customers also hate them.
Earlier this week, one of the planters was knocked over and Graham had to lift it up and replant it.
However, he revealed the planters cause issues when it comes to bins being emptied and it also affects deliveries.
He said: “It’s a nightmare trying to run a business, you can’t get anything done.
“If it wasn’t for Steve (who runs The 20p Shop) we wouldn’t have anyone in the town.
“There’s nothing encouraging people to come to Otley.
“Years ago, both sides of the street used to be full with market traders. They’ve all moved to go to the market square which looks better because it's all condensed into one location but there’s empty shops. Fulton Foods has just shut down.”
Graham continued: “Customers hate them, they always ask how long are they there for and the reason for them
“The planters don’t need to be going down a main road.
“There was no consultation with businesses or anyone before they were put up. I just came one morning and they were here.”
David Kelk who runs Woollett Home Electric across the street from The 20p Shop. The planters aren’t directly in front of his shop but says he doesn’t like them.
Due to the other parking spaces on the street being blocked by the planters, he has to get to the shop an hour before opening along with Adrian Mitchell who also works at the shop.
Not only do they affect traders, they also affect deliveries and customers who might have to bring things such as washing machines into the shop for repair.
The pair who agreed that the planters weren't "attractive," added: “I personally don’t like them. I think they’re not necessary. We had the barriers in the pandemic keeping people separate, the road is narrow to start with, it's creating a road problem. There seems to be more traffic since the planters were put down.
“People have been complaining about the planters on social media.
“People have different opinions about the planters but it hasn’t gone very well, people were complaining about it online. They are bad for parking
“I would be happy if they were removed, I don’t see the point of them.”
A spokesperson for Leeds City Council said: “Social distancing measure were implemented on Kirkgate as part of the social distancing requirements associated with the Covid pandemic. Representation have been made to retain the pavement widening on Kirkgate and the Town Council recently provided more aesthetically pleasing planters to replace the temporary barriers.
“The Town Council are at the present time compiling a consultation exercise within Otley where they will be seeking the views of residents, business owners and visitors to assess the holistic views in regards to making the pavement widening a permanent proposition or if it should be removed.”
