TRADERS in New Road, Chippenham, are angry about the lack of spending in their part of town.

They feel a lack of investment from civic leaders has led to a steady stream of takeaways opening up in the area.

Joe Stepanek, 49, runs Shoecare at the bottom of Station Hill. He blames the downturn on changes to the town over the past 10 years.

"This is now a very quiet end of town. I remember when we first came here, it was a lot busier and we had shops like WHSmith in this half of the town.

"We just do not get people like we used to. They spend their money further down, especially now the High Street has been pedestrianised. We want better shops up here and more money spent on rejuvenating the area. It is starting to look quite shabby and you get better roads in Bangladesh."

Alex Hall, of the Sewing Centre, who has been trading in Chippenham for the past 22 years, said: "The lack of parking places is a problem and there is nowhere for people to cross the road safely. There is a massive pothole just outside the shop. We are even neglected when it comes to putting up Christmas lights."

Chonette Taylor, of Quetzal Global Gallery, hopes something can be done to promote the area before more traders move out.She said: "There has been a change in focus and it is almost as if the town centre has shifted.

"It is all to do with the psychology of shopping. People now think the town centre is further down because of the changes that took place to the High Street and the opening of Borough Parade has had an effect."

"I'm now 58 and I've been trading in the town for 17 years, I no longer have the energy. At this rate I will probably have to close over the next few years.

"I would have liked to continue until I was 80, as I do have some lovely customers. It would be good if traders got together and came up with an action plan."

Town councillor Ross Henning said there were plans to improve the area but it all depended on the amount of money available.

He said: "I understand the traders' concerns. It is a long-term plan to enhance this area of the town.

"The town council has already had a conversation with the county council about making the bottom of Station Hill more pedestrian-friendly.

"I want to see this part of town improved because, compared with the High Street, it has been neglected."

At the time of going to press, Wiltshire County Council and North Wiltshire District Council were unavailable for comment.