Good news soon about two key sites in Bridlington

Nigel Atkinson, head of Bridlington Renaissance, said he can’t give away too much about negotiations, but there could be positive announcements about the two development opportunities soon.

He said: “In terms of the coach park site we expect the developers there to be in a position to undertake public consultation in the next two months and we are expecting that to be good news for the town.”

However, some of the businesses in the area around the two sites have been left frustrated by months of endless roadworks which have affected their trade.

Phase two is set to continue until late August, bringing the prospect of yet more “intermittent diversions”.

Hairdresser Katy Saxton, told the Free Press’ sister paper The Yorkshire Post: “It’s had me in tears before – I did about £20 one day.

Barber Seon Martin reckons he has lost around £200 a week, but has no hope of compensation.

His shop faces a huge building site, where workers in hi-viz vests can be glimpsed through the hoardings, working on the new Beck Hill bridge.

“People avoid the area now. It’s been too long – they get used to going somewhere else.” He is sceptical that plans for redevelopment will bear fruit: “They might have stuff up their sleeve that nobody knows about, but they are not telling anybody or making any big announcements.

“I think they are gambling on some big retailer or hotel wanting to take over the coach park.

“But it is not a shopping place like Hull or Bridlington, it is a seaside place.”

Nearby, Rachel Rogerson is revamping her coffee kiosk, Colombian Corner.

She said: “Everyone likes coffee don’t they?

“I just wanted a different unique look,” she said.

But when asked about the roadworks and the diversions, the happy mood darkens. She said: “It’s an absolute disaster. It takes literally half an hour to 45 minutes to go round Bridlington.”

UKIP councillor David Robson believes the pain will be worth the eventual gain.

He said: “I am not supportive of how it has been done, but I am supportive of the ultimate aim.

“The unfortunate problem is that the delays are really affecting small businesses and I really feel for them, but it is not possible to give them 
cash relief.

“If you make the place look attractive, up to 21st century standards, it encourages people to upgrade their business, spend money on shop fronts. People need to forget about going everywhere by car.

“The ultimate aim is to improve the infrastructure of the town centre and I am totally 100 per cent in favour.”