BUSINESS owners and councillors in Melksham are looking forward to the start of the long-awaited redevelopment of the Market Place in the new year.

Part of the Melksham Campus plans, a £23million project to improve the town’s facilities, the Market Place will be undergoing improvement work from the end of January, the first step on the road for the campus plans which began in 2010.

Melksham town Cllr Adrienne Westbrook said: "At last Wiltshire are delivering on a promise. However the very fact that Melksham Town Council started putting money away for this in 2000 shows how slowly Wiltshire respond to community need. How much longer do we need to wait for the campus, and information on asset transfer? Are they trying to completely dismantle the fabric of the market towns?"

Whilst there is scepticism about the plans and the eventual delivery of the development, others are optimistic for their businesses when the construction begins in January.

Lucy Cooper, 30, manager of The Tavern in the Market Place, said: “Hopefully we will do well out of it as we will be opposite where the workers will be. I am sure we will be OK for business. I sometimes forget that the campus is happening because it has taken so long for anything to happen.”

Wiltshire Council says it hopes once the Market Place is done, work will continue to make Melksham a developed and well-resourced place to live.

Cllr John Thomson, Wiltshire Council cabinet member for communities and campuses, said: “The Market Place is a focal point for the town and this investment will ensure that continues for many years to come.”

The works are expected to take six months and will aim to enhance the space in the market square as well as improving pedestrian and vehicle access to Melksham House, which will be home to the new Health and Wellbeing Centre, St Damien’s GP surgery and a number of clubs.

“This marks the next phase of the exciting campus development and means the Market Place will be ready for the increased activity that it will bring into that area. We are sure that any short term disruption will be offset by a much improved and attractive town centre when the work is complete,” Cllr Thomson added.