TRADERS in Acomb are working on plans for £17,000 allocated to them from the city council.

The Acomb Alive traders group has been given control of the money, which come from economic development funding, by the council's deputy leader Cllr Keith Aspden.

The funds are there to help make the area more attractive and encourage residents to shop locally, and "get Acomb buzzing again", said Acomb Alive's chairman Sue Hunter.

A lump sum of £30,000 was allocated to the area in late 2013, with the aim of improving the infrastructure of the streets to attract more shoppers.

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Of that,£12,200 has been spent or committed, leaving £17,800 in the account. That £17,000 was assigned to the Acomb traders' group on April 12, and the group is waiting for the cash to be transferred, and planning how it can be used - which could include cosmetic improvements like benches and planters, or special events like markets.