West Berkshire Council is staying tight-lipped over the results of the Newbury town centre pedestrianisation survey — saying it has “another 18 months” to decide whether the traffic ban will become permanent.
Local resident John Gotelee, who has repeatedly challenged the council, asked why the six-month survey results haven’t been published. “I do wonder why that is?” he asked. “We are talking about the extension of the pedestrianisation which most of the time has been totally ineffective. Nobody is going to be sitting out in the rain. Are we going to see the results of the survey?”
Justin Pemberton, the council’s economic development portfolio holder, rejected claims the trial has failed, saying more businesses are putting out tables and chairs and that figures show increased footfall and spend since the trial began.
A pre-trial survey on extending pedestrianisation hours from 10am–5pm to 10am–11pm showed mixed feedback: 58.5 per cent opposed the proposal and 36.7 per cent supported it. The trial began on 19 May 2025 with a six-month formal consultation; that consultation period ended on 19 November 2025, but the restrictions remain while the council assesses the data. A decision on making the scheme permanent is expected in spring 2026.
“There is always going to be a bedding in effect when change happens,” said Mr Pemberton. “What our businesses want is a certainatly of what comes next. We haven’t made a decision and that shows how seriously this administration is taking what to do next.”
Asked whether the scheme is “a success for cafe culture”, he said: “Your question is an interesting one. In defining success there is subjectivity here. Do you mean the amount of outdoor seating occupied? Are you referring to social utility? Are you talkng about the number of hours our residents visit bars and restuarants? Or are you talking about spend? On that point, what I would say is that food and drink is our largest retail sector within Newbury accounting for nearly 27 per cent of all recorded spend.
“Despite the challenges and feedback we have had during the pedestrianisation consultation we have seen a slight increase on year on year sales thourghout the summer of 2025.
“The data we commissioned through the Newbury Bid also suggests there was a significant increase in visitors from outside Newbury and Thatcham, so 36 per cent of that spend was from them.
“We absolutely are seeing progress in terms of the number of businesses coming to Newbury town centre.”
The council says it is still analysing the feedback and evidence before deciding whether to make the pedestrianisation permanent.
Niki Hinman, Local Democracy Reporter
