Tuck in to help your local shop (From Barry And District News)

Tuck in to help your local shop

HIGH Street businesses may have had their chips - unless locals start tucking in to more fish suppers.

That's the message from Vale MP John Smith who visited the beleaguered shopping area this week to see for himself the problems of local traders.

It's a rather tongue-in-cheek appeal, but it is meant to highlight a a serious issue.

Chan's Chinese takeaway is, like other businesses, still reeling from the closure of the road due to the state of two derelict buildings.

Although the road is now open again, trade is proving slow to return.

Mrs Chan added: "Even though the road is now open, people have got used to the street being closed and our business is still suffering."

Mr Smith, tucking into a bag of chips, said: "I urge people to join me and drop into Chan's for a take away, the chips are great."

"I'm glad the Council came up with a short term answer. But they need to think of ways to stop this situation recurring. There are buildings in the High Street and Broad Street area in a very bad state of repair. Though they're not falling down yet, they could be in a year or two unless some preventative action is taken soon."

A Vale of Glamorgan Council spokesman said: "Council officers from several departments are considering the condition of properties in the High Street and Broad Street areas with a view to producing solutions in both the short and long terms."

Resident Joanne Burnett says the re-opening has brought new safety problems: "There's hope for the shops now the road is open, but it's given a whole new set of problems. We've got cars screaming through the narrowing. I've seen a lorry mount the curb just inches away from a group of children, and people are coming in the wrong way because they don't know the one-way system is in operation."