COUNCILLORS have met business leaders in Pickering in a bid to boost the town’s economy.

The town council has set up a three-strong group of local economy champions – mayor Joan Lovejoy, mayor-elect William Oxley and former mayor, Brian Baker – who have met traders to explore ideas to promote Pickering.

Coun Baker said: “We need to know what you need and are thinking.”

Ideas include providing a notice-board in the town centre, highlighting forthcoming events, and for businesses to be kept informed on current events using email.

Both traders and the councillors said they wanted to see an improvement in the short-term to the Lidl supermarket site, with the possibility of hoardings being put up on which children could put street art, or for the site to be used as a car park.

Coun Lovejoy said: “We want to communicate with businesses and work with them for the benefit of the town.”

The plan is for traders to set up a chamber of trade or business association to help promote initiatives.

“We want to encourage more people to come to Pickering because the town has so much to offer with its individual shops, castle, history and heritage,” she added.

One move is to encourage traders to open their shops on certain Sundays during the year, especially when there are festivals or special events.

“We want to ensure that all businesses have a chance to benefit from the increasing number of events which Pickering is running,” said Coun Oxley.

Also on the drawing board is the idea of a youth council which would see Pickering’s younger generation spelling out their aspirations and needs.

The forthcoming World Mountain Bike Championships being held at Dalby Forest and in Pickering for the second successive year in May, is seen as a major opportunity to boost the town’s coffers.

Councillors said that lessons had been learned from last year and as a result changes are to be made to the timing of the erection of barriers and to enable better pedestrian access to the Market Place.

The course for part of the championships, held in the Market Place, will be built later in the day to enable visitors to spend more time in the town.

Coun Oxley said: “It will be a fantastic day for Pickering and the message we are sending out is that Pickering will be very much open for business.”

A social event is being planned for June 7, at a venue to be arranged, when all traders are being asked to attend to exchange ideas and views.