MORE shops in the centre of Liscard, not less! That's the reply by Liscard Traders' Association to Liscard Councillor Gordon Paterson, who said in the Globe: "For this day and age, Wallasey, including Liscard, has too many shops for the size and population."

LTA chairman Philip Steggles says more shops are wanted, offering shoppers a wide choice, especially women's fashion.

The association would also like shops on the perimeter of Liscard phased out and encouraged into the centre.

Said Mr Steggles: "Mr Paterson states in 11 years a great deal of work has been put into Liscard. We feel, compared to Birkenhead, the performance of the Council regarding Liscard, is a disgrace. The people of Wallasey want and deserve a shopping centre to be proud of.

"When the Council introduced the residents-only parking scheme, we warned it would mean disaster. It took two years for limited parking to come back for our customers.

"This Council has a track record for destroying business in other parts of Wirral to promote Birkenhead. Look at New Brighton - nothing gets replaced. Liscard must not be allowed to go the same way as New Brighton. Our association will fight to keep Liscard alive."

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.