Business meeting says it’s time to ‘talk up’ Spalding – but traders want crime issues fixing first

Spalding needs to be ‘talked up’ in order to bring about a change in its fortunes – but pleas were made to first tackle the anti-social behaviour which is blighting the area.

Nearly 40 people went along to hear more about the plans put together to revitalise the town centre by Spalding Business Board on Wednesday last week – which includes the possibility of creating a Business Improvement District.

While one of the key themes of the meeting was to promote the town in a positive way, traders and residents called for greater enforcement to clamp down on the drug dealing, anti-social behaviour and the frequent flouting of the rules which are supposed to prevent vehicles travelling through the town centre.

Spalding Water Taxi pilot Terry Carter called for greater enforcement of the Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) which should stop public drinking, spitting and urination.

He said: “We bring tourists from Springfields and the first thing they see are the residents of the seats behind the South Holland Centre. They don’t even bother to get off, they stay on the boat and power back. Can something be done about that? They put off ladies waiting for the taxi.

“We have a PSPO – why doesn’t that apply to the sites behind here (the South Holland Centre). If you put notices up please enforce them.”

Organiser of Spalding Flower Parade Stephen Timewell questioned why there was no enforcement of Traffic Regulation Order which should prevent vehicles entering Hall Place and Market Place between 10am and 4pm.

He said: “I have been struck by a vehicle in the town centre. I think there is a very easy solution - just enforce it. It does put visitors off as the town centre is not a safe place.

“The town centre is a disgrace.”

He also raised the issues with anti-social behaviour which he says was carried out by a ‘core of individuals’.

Nathan Marshall, one of the owners of the Prior’s Oven pub in Sheep Market, highlighted another issue facing the town.

He said: “The drug dealing in town is ridiculous. We have seen it from our pub, ring the police and no-one attends. People don’t ring the police any more as they know they are wasting their time.”

Concerns were also made about the closure of the Sheep Market toilets.

Earlier in the meeting, one of the members of Spalding Business Board, Catherine Duce, said the image of Spalding had to change.

She said: “We want to try to make sure we build a positive image of Spalding. A lot of what we see in the press from hear from the general public in the town is quite negative about Spalding and we want to turn that around.

“Nothing negative about a town helps it to get better. Overall the message coming from the town needs to be positive.”

Leader of South Holland District Council Coun Nick Worth added: “We really need to talk up the town if we want it to be successful.”