Scores of people concerned about the decline of Royston town centre huddled into the Old Bull Inn to discuss how to give the relevant authorities a nudge to make the town flourish again.

Chairman and leader of the Save Royston Town Centre group Clive Porter opened the meeting with a summary of concerns ranging from dangerous and poorly maintained pathways and road surfaces, to neglected empty retail units and parking problems.

All of these issues, he feels, are ‘contributing to lack of attraction to new businesses being set up in the town’.

Members from the Women’s Institute – which has been campaigning for three years to improve the town centre – also expressed frustration at what they perceive to be a lack of action by various authority groups.

Clive also read out two letters from disabled people, both of whom went to lengths to stress their concerns over the uneven and dangerous conditions of the pavements, which have resulted in numerous accidents with wheelchairs, and individuals tripping over protruding paving slabs.

Barley plumber Nick White echoed concerns about the surface of the High Street, and frustrations that it has deteriorated since repair work last year.

Councillors Fiona Hill and Tony Hunter, who represent the town on Herts County Council and North Herts District Council, said work is going on to solve surface problems and they met highways officers in the High Street on Tuesday afternoon.

Councillor Hill said: “They are now investigating options.”

Clive said: “A major drive will be implemented to turn around Royston’s fortunes, before the heart of this once thriving market town is completely lost.”