Chepstow town centre roads may be cut off to boost trade

The town's marketing group is considering paying more than £1,000 to stop traffic on the first Saturday of every month so music, dance and food events can be put on.

While the plans are at an early stage, Chepstow Marketing Group already has the backing of several traders who believe the plan could give the town a much-needed boost.

In April, the Free Press' launched its 'Put the heart back into Chepstow' campaign which aimed to reinvigorate events there following the loss of key ones like the Steampunk festival and carnival.

The flow of pedestrians on Saturdays had shown a steep decline up until 2006 and the figures have levelled off since, a paper published earlier this year by the county council shows.

The High Street closure would be in operation between March and December, to avoid the cold snap.

It is not known yet where the traffic will be diverted to.

Nikki Colley-Priest, secretary of Chepstow Marketing, said: "The idea is to have events or markets in the street. It would hopefully boost the economy, bringing people in to use the shops and the first Saturday of every month is likely to stick in their minds. Business owners seem quite keen to support us."

Cllr Ned Heywood, marketing committee member, said: "We are talking about expanded craft markets, The Widders dance group in the street, the possibility of bringing in continental markets. The idea is to make Chepstow more vibrant and more interesting for people to come to. We also want to make organising current events much easier."

Bringing the plan to fruition will depend on the cost and whether the Lower Wye Area Committee pledge their support at its next meeting, Ms Colley-Priest said.

Chepstow Marketing Group is a partnership between Chepstow Chamber of Commerce, Chepstow Town Council, Monmouthshire County Council, Chepstow Festival, Creative Cultivators and Chepstow Tourist Information Centre.

Representatives are elected onto the group by their various organisations.