An Ashby town councillor has suggested a partial pedestrianisation of Market Street might be considered in the future - 

Cllr Carl Benfield said that a recent survey conducted by Ashby de la Zouch Town Council said that a 'cafe culture' could be created in the town.

Ashby is currently preparing the application process for the 2023 renewal of its Purple Flag award, which represents the town's night-time economy.

Cllr Benfield said at a recent meeting of the town council's Events & Entertainment committee: "In the survey, 84 people said they wanted to create a cafe culture in Ashby.

"Perhaps we should be looking at the licensing for the late afternoon/early evening time.

"If that's what people want, maybe that's what we should give them."

The Green Party councillor also commented the introduction of a one-way system in Market Street.

He added: "Has that ever been looked at?

"A single lane, one-way down the street with herring-bone parking on one side.

It would increase the parking in Market Street, then use South Street to exit.

"Also it would slow down the traffic, the boy racers are getting worse."

But it was also pointed out that the proposal was raised two decades ago, and provoked an angry response from residents and the Ashby Civic Society.

Cllr John Coxon said: "I wouldn't be in favour of a pedestrianisation of Ashby town centre in any shape or form."

But Cllr Pejman Zamani added that the move would help the parking situation in the town.

The new Lounge Bar in Market Street is aimed at bringing 'cafe culture' to the town. Photo: Loungers

He reported that a number of people had commented to him about the lack of car parking spaces in Ashby - and that the car parks will now only accept on-line payments.

Committee chairman, Cllr Murrae Blair-Park, said it would be minuted and given further thought.

He also commented on the 'cafe culture' suggestion.

Cllr Blair-Park said: "On a Saturday or Sunday morning in Ashby town centre, you can see the remnants of what's gone on the night before."

He also referred to the new Loungers bar in Market Street, which is due to open in November.

Cllr Blair-Park added: "We have a new premises opening in the not to distant future which will contribute more to that environment, it'll be interesting to see how successful that particular business is."

Cllr Rita Manning said: "I appreciate people wanting a cafe culture in the town, and we could do better.

"We have wide footpaths. People see it as sitting outside, but in the daytime, not late at night."

But safety and lack of policing in the town centre were identified as the main concern from the survey.

Town Centre manager, Stuart Benson, also pointed out that three-quarters of the respondents to the survey were female.

He said: "We have assessors coming to the town on November 18, when we will show them our night-time economy so they can see it first hand.

"You can't make people fill in surveys - and this is only a snapshot of Ashby's 16,000-17,000 residents.

"But the assessors will decide if there is an issue in the town.

"The biggest concern was over safety and policing. We have to see what implications that has."

Cllr Zamani added that he was concerned about groups of youths drinking alcohol in the town.

The committee said that as many town councillors would meet the assessors as possible and support the Purple Flag application.