I am a local business owner in Batley, operating two businesses along the Eastern Commercial Street. The heart-wrenching proposal to close this street is more than just a logistical shift - it is a threat to our livelihoods. The closure would isolate numerous businesses, transforming our bustling street into an isolated alley, vulnerable to crime and anti-social behaviour. It could also drastically decrease property values. Our businesses thrive on footfall and passing trade - a sudden drop in these figures, which the closure would undeniably cause, could potentially shut us down.

Batley is home to numerous small businesses that are the lifeblood of the local economy. A study by Federation of Small Businesses in 2018 stated that small businesses accounted for 99.3% of all private sector businesses in the UK, providing employment to 16.3 million people (FSB, 2018). The unique character of our town relies on the vibrancy brought about by these businesses. Their survival is mandatory for the local economy.

We urge the decision-makers at Kirklees Councils planning department to take into account the wide-reaching effects of the proposed plans, beyond mere traffic control. The loss of Batley's vital businesses due to an infrastructure change would be an irreplaceable loss to the community and the local economy. We strongly object the proposed closure of Eastern Commercial Street. We call upon our fellow residents and businesses to join us in preserving our community - for it's not just our businesses at stake, but Batley's heart and soul. Please, sign this petition.