People in North Walsham have been reacting to the new-look Market Place as the £4 million project to revamp the town centre nears completion.
The Heritage Action Zone (HAZ) project, which intends to pedestrianise and beautify the town centre, is now moving into its final phase, with the Market Place and Church Street soon set to reopen to traffic.
The roads have been closed since last September, bringing significant disruption to the town centre.
In the Market Place, through traffic and short-stay parking places have been swept away, replaced with wider footpaths and benches, as well as four disabled parking bays.
There are also now ten free 60-minute parking spaces in Bank Loke carpark and six in Vicarage Street car park.
The town centre itself will remain open to blue badge holders and loading 24 hours a day.
People in Market Place this newspaper spoke to broadly welcomed the changes - despite earlier protests from shopkeepers concerned about the impact of the revamp on trade.
Jordan Howard, 28, who lives in the town, said: “I don’t see what all the fuss has been about. I think it looks nice.
“I don’t know why it cost so much. It would be nice to have a permanent market."
She also said that some money could have been invested in new shop-fronts for businesses in the Market Place.
Geoffrey Roper, 88, who has lived in North Walsham since 1963, said: “I hope the money they spent is going to be worth it. It seems a lot of money has been spent.
“They’ve done a good job. Let’s hope it pays off.”
He also said the town centre will be “a lot better off” without traffic.
Alison Cornish, 56, who lives in the town centre, said: “I think it looks really nice. I can’t wait for the summer and we can sit outdoors.
“It’s a shame they’re allowing traffic after 5pm because in Europe they have a nice cafe culture."
She said the town could do with a new pub or restaurant in the centre.
Janet Strickland, 70, said: “I love it. I think it’ll bring people in.
"I’m going to bring a friend here for coffee, because I want to show her. We would usually go to Holt.
“We should be very pleased and very proud,” she said.
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Christina Smith, 78, said: “I’ve never been to a place that’s been pedestrianised that I want to return to.
"They’re always empty, they’re always soulless.”
Mrs Smith said she was was concerned about how she would take boxes of items to the charity shops.
Douglas Epson, 80, who was brought up in the town, was also concerned about the changes.
“They have messed the town up. There’s going to be nothing here. Coffee shops is all there will be, and charity shops and hairdressers.
"There’s going to be nothing here for us. It’ll finish the shops off.”
Jack Wheeler, 42, who lives in Honing and visits the town regularly, said: "I think it’s a good idea.
"It’s a handsome town. It’s nice if you can keep the vehicles out.”
Councillor Richard Kershaw, portfolio holder for sustainable growth at North Norfolk District Council (NNDC), said: "We would like to thank residents for their continued patience with this project.
"These investments have significantly helped to increase North Walsham’s attraction, accessibility and inclusiveness for all – including non-car drivers and people with disabilities creating a safer town centre environment for all, reinforcing [the council's] confidence in North Walsham as a town for the future whilst respecting and building upon its important history."
The project's final phase will include new pedestrian routes into the town at Black Swan Loke, a new public garden at Black Swan Loke and pavements widened at Church Street.
A new landscaped public space at The Shambles opened last August.
'Wonky' benches
There have been concerns about benches installed in the Market Place, with some residents pointing out they are 'wonky' as they slope with the path.
Councillor Kershaw said: "The discussion about the benches is just one element of the scheme and the new benches have been installed to follow the curve of the pavement."
He said if they were installed ‘dead straight’ then they would be "very high at one end and very low at the other, which would make no sense at all".
"This way they are functional and they look right," he added.
Mr Kershaw encouraged people to visit the Market Place, shop in the local businesses and enjoy sitting on the benches.
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