Concerned locals despairing at the number of empty shops in Royston town centre have revived a campaign to save the High Street.
Spearheaded by activist Clive Porter, the group is putting pressure on North Herts District Council and the owners of empty shop premises to get the town thriving again.
Clive said: “This particular area has a stigma attached to it. Not only is it a bad advert for our town, but it is utterly disgraceful that these listed buildings have been allowed to deteriorate to this degree.”
In particular, Clive will be focusing on trying to get the former Howorth’s shoe shop, for which planning permission was granted in 2013 for flats on the first floor and retail space at ground level but is still standing empty, filled.
A spokeswoman for the district council said “We will be writing to the owner of the building to try and establish what their plans are for the building.”
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