TOWN councillors in an East Yorkshire market town are introducing live music to a “forgotten” shopping area in a bid to bring in more customers.
From next month, live bands will be striking up in North Bar Within, Beverley, every Saturday, as civic bosses try to reverse the dwindling fortunes of the historic shopping street.
Traders have complained about a drop in footfall, with one in every four shops currently empty.
Now, Beverley and District Pipe Band will kick off the East Riding’s latest shopping experience by playing in Coronation Gardens.
Other bands and groups are being lined-up for the “music while you shop” venture, including brass, jazz, pop and folk.
Shopkeepers have welcomed the pioneering move as a way of breathing new life into the ailing street.
Kate Johnson, 40, owner of The Poppy Seed café and delicatessen, said: “It is a great idea and something that is badly needed.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here