BENCHES which were temporarily removed to make way for Burton’s outdoor market have still not been replaced more than two months on.
Burton’s Town Centre Management removed the benches from outside all four areas of Station Street in preparation for the market stalls which started trading in their new home in November, last year.
When the market stalls were installed, work was due to start on re-siting the benches, however this is yet to begin.
East Staffordshire Borough Council – which instigated the market move – has now said the benches had been due to be installed last week but bad weather delayed work.
Delora Jones, who has been working behind the scenes trying to prevent Burton Market from closing, said: “The seating and bike racks in Station Street were removed to make room for the pop-up stalls, and neither has been reinstated. “We have a large elderly population and we have a good amount of people of all ages who struggle with walking.
“Having benches available means they can get out in public, and these benches should be reinstated with thought put to minimising the distances between them – something that should have been done ages ago.”
A spokesman for East Staffordshire Borough Council said: “The benches were scheduled to be moved last week, however this was postponed as a result of the bad weather. The benches will be moved by the end of the month.”
The market move from the Market Place to Station Street – which was initially controversial – was instigated by the borough council as part of its plans to revitalise Burton’s ailing market hall.
It wants to refurbish the hall with pop-up stalls in the day time and evening entertainment at night.
The outdoor market was then replaced with the controversial ice skating rink in the Market Place purchased by the council for £27,000.
