High street businesses fear “irreparable damage” will be done to their takings if controversial pedestrianisation plans are given the green light.

Faversham shop owners believe Swale Borough Council proposals to ban traffic through the likes of Market Place and Preston Street will prevent them from receiving deliveries.

Vehicles were first denied access to sections of the town centre in June 2020 to aid social distancing, before the restrictions were lifted the following summer.

But the authority now wants to permanently reinstate the measures, having decided this week to go ahead with a consultation on the move in the new year.

Papers show the £70,000 closure will be enforced through the use of two automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras.

Price Less Furniture owner Steve Trimmings says he may have to move from his East Street site if the car ban is approved.

“Long term we’d have to think if it would be viable to carry on with the business at the premises we’re at," he told KentOnline.

“I think they must have looked at other places, maybe abroad where it looks all very nice and cosy, but it doesn’t work in every town.”

Documents show the borough council wants to close Court Street, Market Place, Market Street, Middle Row, East Street and Preston Street to cars between 10am and 4pm each day.

Blue badge holders will be exempt, but all other vehicles will be barred from the town centre routes during those times.

Some businesses are concerned they will not be able to get stock through the door, as a number of them do not have rear entrances to receive deliveries from.

Creekside Records owner Simon Tyler explained: “I don’t say to delivery companies that I want them here at a certain time - I’m told.

"Most of the local independent shops are no different to you at home when you’re expecting a delivery - you can’t say you only want it at this or that time.

“If cars aren’t allowed here, my stock isn’t coming into the shop."

Mr Tyler believes the issue could be solved if delivery drivers could access the town centre through Newton Road and then by turning up Preston Street.

Faversham Traders' Association chairman Tim Brown, who also runs East Street Music, believes the car ban will cause significant harm to local retailers.

"The council wants a café culture in the centre of town, but it could cause businesses irreparable damage," he stated.

“Pretty much all of the shops in Preston Street and in the marketplace haven’t got rear access, so there’s no vehicular access for couriers or delivery drivers.

"Lots of shops lost out on their deliveries and had to close during the pedestrianisation because they couldn’t get stock in or out, and this will happen again."

At a meeting of the council's joint transportation board on Monday, Jonathan East - whose firm Project Centre is working with the authority on the scheme - said there is no leeway for deliveries under current plans.

When asked by Lib Dem councillor Eddie Thomas if the project involves the creation of specific loading bays to facilitate deliveries, Mr East said “it’s not something currently in the scheme”.

"The proposals are between 10am and 4pm," he added.

"The closure is expected to encourage walking and cycling within the town centre and promote town centre regeneration..."

"It will be closed to all vehicles except for those exempt - the idea is there wouldn’t be any loading within those times.”

Despite this, county councillor Antony Hook (Lib Dem) told members he is "certain there are many people in Faversham and visitors who will enjoy the pedestrianisation".

Labour's Julian Saunders also asserted "residents in my ward are strongly supportive".

Documents produced by the borough council add: "The closure is expected to be enforced by the provision of ANPR cameras.

"This will enable the town centre to remain open for emergency and maintenance access required.

"The current estimate to implement the proposals is £70,000.

"The implementation of the closure through an amended traffic order, ANPR cameras and updated signage is expected to encourage walking and cycling within the town centre and promote town centre regeneration."

The councillors sitting on the joint transportation board unanimously voted in favour of sending the plan out for consultation.

Residents will be able to have their say on the changes between January 16 and February 23.