Royston needs to be put “back on the tourist map” if the town centre is to thrive, according to a businessman.

Financ Financial adviser Mark Hughes addressed the latest meeting of the Save Royston Town Centre campaign, held at Mello Coffee Shop last week.

The group has been set up by campaigner Clive Porter to look at ways to revitalise the High Street, and Wednesday’s meeting was attended by local traders and councillors, as well as interested residents.

Mr Hughes said: “With the advent of super-fast broadband, many more of the population shop online. Larger centres like Henley-on-Thames, Bath and Harrogate have managed to withstand these changes to our society, but many of the smaller centres such as our own town, which at the moment is not such a tourist attraction as these famous names, really struggle to survive.

“Perhaps it is time to look at ways of putting us more firmly on the tourist map.”

He added that a more co-ordinated policy between the various groups working in Royston was needed, and suggested a regular late-night shopping evening would boost trade.

Earlier Mr Porter had opened the meeting by welcoming the extended library opening hours.

He said: “I hope this will assist with an increase in badly needed new footfall on the streets, which could benefit both retail and eateries across the town centre.”

The group will hold another meeting later in the year.