TRADERS in Bewdley are hoping the town can now return to “normality” following months of turmoil while vital repair work was carried out to St Anne’s Church.

Work to St Anne’s Church, in Load Street, saw the road partially closed between June and mid-September.

Traders had initially voiced their concerns over the impact of the closures and it was feared the works could have been the final blow for businesses following the closure of the town’s last bank in January and the loss of parking spaces during the construction of the town’s new medical centre.

During an inspection of the church earlier this year, it was found that urgent work was required to the roof and parapets of the church, which received a grant of £100,000 from the Government’s Roof Repair Fund for the project.

But now the three-month long works have come to the end, traders in the town are hoping Bewdley will return to “normality” and are focused on bringing visitors and tourists back into the town.

Councillor John Beeson, the Mayor of Bewdley and manager of Bewdley Farm Shop, said: “It is certainly good that Bewdley is returning to normality.

“I think all the traders and residents are happy it is done and completed on time.

“It is important that we now focus on getting visitors back in the town as we rely heavily on tourism, as well as reminding locals that if we do not use our local shops we run the risk of losing them.

“Once we have the new car parking spaces we should be set for a brighter future after a few years of disruption.”

External work requiring scaffolding was completed on September 16, when the traffic diversions were removed. Remaining external work – which will not require scaffolding – is expected to be completed in October.

Robert Smith, of St Anne’s Church Property Group, said: “All of us at St Anne’s Church would like to say a big thank you to Bewdley residents and businesses for their understanding while Load Street was partially closed.

“The essential roof works have now been completed to prevent water ingress into the church and to secure loose high level stonework.

“Scaffolding was necessary while the work was underway to protect pedestrians and vehicles below.

“We worked closely with the Highway authority and Bewdley Town Council to ensure that inconvenience for local residents and businesses was minimised,

“We are particularly grateful to those residents and businesses in Severnside South and Lax Lane who have experienced greater traffic volumes.”

An exhibition of the work undertaken will take place in the church between 10am and 2pm Tuesday to Saturday, between Tuesday, October 18, and Wednesday, November 2.