'The whole place needs knocking down'

As a new Tesco looms for Yardley, Helen Fielding finds out what the local traders think.

Amarjit Singh, from Image clothes shop said: "I think the Tesco store is a good idea. I would like to have a shop in the new shopping centre. We've been waiting two years to find out what's happening. We do get a lot of custom here though."

Em Sheahan, from Ray Roberts store, said: "We need more trade. The trade has gone down a lot in recent years. A third of the stalls in the Swan Centre are empty. Trade has gone down because of all the drug addicts and kids drinking on the benches. There used to be a good community here, with benches for the old folks and free activities for the kids. They need to find something for the young kids to do, stop them hanging around outside. And they need to drop the rent, the prices they charge are ridiculous."

Dave Padfield, from Walmsleys Furniture Store, said: "The whole place needs knocking down. The redevelopment is a good idea. We get an ok trade here, but nowhere near what it should be. We have no idea what's going on here, we've been waiting years and years, seven years, and the centre keeps telling us different things. We are committed to this shop, we want to be here, but there's a limit."

Denise Rice, from It's A Pound, said: "It needs knocking down and rebuilding. Trade has gone down over the last three years. It's ok now but not the same as it was last year. They need to improve the road to get customers in. And lower the rent charges to fill up the stalls."

Anthony Hollies, from Tivoli Butchers, said: "Blow it up! Redevelop it, but we don't need a supermarket. There's loads of supermarkets round here. But we don't have any say in it. "The council have already given it to Tescos. Tescos are going to widen the road, so it's given to Tescos. It means we're finished.

"We'll be knocked down. The Yew Tree will be finished as well. We've been waiting seven years to find out what's happening. All we ever hear is negative news. People don't come here because all they hear is that the place is closing."

Eric Judd, aged 63, from Solihull, said: "The whole centre needs pulling down. But when? Where? The traders don't know where they stand.

"People think the centre is closed because they read in the paper that it's getting pulled down and they think it's going to happen next week. People need to know when it's going to happen. People don't even know who owns the place, who owns the flats?

"Everyone's confused. There's a lack of knowledge. It's a mess, there's no atmosphere. It needs pulling down. It's a shame though. A coat of paint would be a good start."

Mark Hall, aged 28, Sheaf Lane, Sheldon said: "A lot needs doing. It needs a big development. I don't come here often. The Tescos is a good idea. I'd come here more often if it was developed. They need better shops. There's not enough here now to keep people going."