Over the past few weeks we have seen some changes to our High Street in Chippenham, firstly the market now coming down the High Street on a Saturday, the introduction of trees (even if at somewhat of a high price) and now the imminent arrival of yet another coffee shop.

This may now be the time to look at the bold step of closing our High Street for good, taking it from being just a thoroughfare to a venue, a place that can be used by the community for a wide variety of uses.

We could encourage more arts and crafts, antiques markets, create a cafe culture in the centre of town, encourage new and varying eating establishments, not just entertainment and takeaways geared at the under 30s.

As someone who works closely with the local police and other partners, in trying to improve the quality of our night time economy and the safety of our local community, the wider the attraction of our High Street, the wider the age range of the people attracted to our town can only help and improve community safety and improve its local economy.

This would be a good opportunity for the whole community to get involved, with local groups and organisations as well as local elected members coming up with a number of ideas to see if this would be viable.

The whole point of the scheme would not be just adding more retail, but making the centre of Chippenham a community venue to enable young and old to demonstrate their skills and encourage much needed visitors to our town.

Coun Peter J Hutton, Wiltshire councillor, Cepen Park and Derriads.