Metro Mayor Dan Norris visited Bath’s Milsom Street to check out plans to get more people shopping and eating out, thanks to over a million pounds of investment from the West of England Combined Authority, which he leads.
Sitting in one of the colourful “parklets”, which provide outdoor seating areas planted with flowers and shrubs, the Mayor talked to local shop workers about the planned improvements to their street.
The Mayor said: “We need to encourage shoppers, visitors and businesses back into the city centre safely. Sadly, there are some empty shops around the city, so we need to get them re-let or think outside the box and repurpose them so people can enjoy things like pop-up art galleries. I really like the parklets and encouraging outdoor seating for cafes and restaurants. This cash will mean additional blooms of colour in the city centre. A European café culture is my cup of tea, all whilst reducing air pollution and make the city greener. Local people know the unique delights that Bath offers – together we are making it even better.”