TRADERS were shocked this week to discover their businesses were to be bulldozed - just weeks after they had secured Euro grants to renovate their premises.

Widnes Road shopkeepers say they had been led to believe their properties would be the first phase of the Simms Cross re-development.

They are still of the middle of the major refurbishment.

Prontaprint proprietor Bernard Dillon said: "I was shocked to hear that the council has plans to demolish our newly modernised block of businesses and replace it with a car park for an Asda supermarket.

"Just 12 months ago, the council supported us in a competition to obtain EC funds to renovate the shopfronts.

"When we won this competition, most of us decided to match and even exceed funding so that we could fully upgrade our businesses to meet the requirements of today's customer.

"In my case, this meant a complete re-fit, including the installation of air conditioning.

"This work was authorised in the third week of July and now, just over two months later, and before the work is even completed, there is talk of burying our investment beneath tarmac.

"I plan to meet with my business neighbours and obtain further information from the council before deciding how best to respond to this 'demolition ball from the blue'.

"The plans have obvious implications for those of us who are directly affected but there are also implications for other businesses and for the town and community as a whole.

"These need to be reviewed before any rash statements or decisions are made on either side."

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