AN Aberystwyth councillor has warned that the new Marks and Spencer store due to open next month will make traffic problems in the area worse and “pull trade and jobs” from other stores.

Cllr Mair Benjamin, who was one of the regular protesters against the closure of the old day centre on the site, said: “It’s already causing problems with traffic flow there and I have had many complaints.

“It’s fine that the store is opening, but it’s going to make things a lot worse.

“The whole town will suffer the extra traffic and, with summer coming up, I think it is going to be a nightmare.”

The three-floor store, part of the multi-million-pound Mill Street development which saw Tesco open its doors last year, will open on Thursday, 23 March, bringing 150 new jobs.

Leader of Ceredigion County Council, Cllr Ellen ap Gwynn said: “The opening of the Marks and Spencer is very welcome news both for the jobs the store will create as well as the boost the store will make to Aberystwyth as a place to shop in the mid Wales region and Wales as a whole.

Marks and Spencer said the store recruited its staff from a “wide range of backgrounds”.

“We are proud to now be one of the biggest employers in the area,” a spokesperson added.

And on the traffic issues raised, M&S said: “The development has been carefully planned, including traffic considerations, and once we’re open we’ll be there to listen to our customers and, if necessary, take action.”

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