Work to improve the Buttercross in Swaffham will modernise the town centre and bring it into the 21st century, the town council clerk has said.

Eastern Daily Press: Swaffham Town Council clerk Richard Bishop. Picture: Matthew Usher.Swaffham Town Council clerk Richard Bishop. Picture: Matthew Usher. (Image: © Archant Norfolk 2014)

The £185,000 improvements to the area will provide plug sockets for local traders, add new street lighting in the car park and provide free wifi in the town centre.

Swaffham Town Council clerk Richard Bishop said: 'As well as the refurbishment to the Buttercross, it's bringing the whole of the town centre up-to-date.

'The works are definitely going to improve the look of the place and it's about making the area much more usable for people.'

The work will also include levelling the raised ridges of the cobbles to take away trip hazards, adding new seats, light bollards and electric car charging points and providing new car park meters to enable Breckland Council to manage the two-hour free parking.

Eastern Daily Press: The Buttercross in Swaffham. PHOTO: Matthew UsherThe Buttercross in Swaffham. PHOTO: Matthew Usher (Image: Archant © 2008)

Mr Bishop is hoping that the changes will boost local business and provide a better experience for locals.

He said: 'We have been wanting to offer these improvements to market traders for some time, particularly during the winter months when you lose the lighting.

'We would like to hope it will provide a boost for local business but we can't definitely say until we know for sure.

'Hopefully people will see what has been done and will notice a massive improvement.'

Quinn Construction Ltd is currently carrying out the refurbishment on behalf of the council.

The improvement work is expected to last until November 23 and businesses in the area will be open as usual, with the council hoping that disruption will be kept to a minimum.

Mr Bishop added: 'Obviously some days they may need to access certain areas and you may not be able to go in certain car park spaces but we can manage it on a day-to-day basis.

'It is one of our best visual attractions in the town and so improving it now will make a big difference.'

What do you think of the improvements to the Buttercross? Get in touch with our Swaffham reporter Dan Bennett by emailing daniel.bennett@archant.co.uk.