A LACK of available delivery space is one of the stumbling blocks to plans for a pedestrianisation of Wood Street.

The move is being considered to help pubs and restaurants deal with social distancing when they reopen this weekend.

The Old Town Business Association held a dedicated Zoom meeting earlier this week to discuss the idea.

South Swindon parish councillor Jane Milner-Barry said: “This was a resident’s idea and it’s a lovely one. I really like the idea of sitting outside on Wood Street with a cup of coffee.

“The idea was initially to get the restaurants more access during social distancing and if it worked to keep it going afterwards, so it sounds good.

“But it’s all about what works for the traders and this meeting was to find that out.

“It turns out there are problems there – the main one is deliveries. Some of the businesses have several deliveries a day and the ones on the north side don’t have any back access, so they can’t get the deliveries at the back.

"That’s one massive problem.”

OTBA vie-chairman Kris Talikowski contacted those businesses who didn’t attend to get their thoughts – with four of them saying they would commit to the change.

Old Town Thai, Fez, Balula's and Wood Street Food Hall all said they would utilise the outdoor space if it was granted to them.

Craig Gavin, the owner of Old Town Thai, said: “It would be good to have and would definitely attract people to the area”

Howard Taylor from Fez added: “It would be the only way we could viably open with the current restrictions so I’m all for it.”

But Rokib Ali from Biplop said he doesn’t see the need for it.

He said: “As we do takeaway collections and our deliveries we get from front door, our customers normally park and collect.

“My restaurant is big enough to accommodate our customers and type of food we serve, it’s not going to be possible to serve outdoor.”