Traders in Halstead have called for more to be done to drive people to visit the high street.

The call comes as Braintree Council presses ahead with plans for the multi-million pound regeneration of Manor Street in Braintree.

Shop owners in Halstead have said they do not believe the same level of investment is needed on Halstead High Street, but insist the announcement is an example of the town being the “poor relation”.

Colin Volckman, co-owner of Limited Edition, said: “The plans are crazy. Braintree seems to get everything and then there’s very little for the rest of us.

“I don’t think there needs to be billions and millions spent here in Halstead, but they do need to make a few tweaks here and there.

“We still get people coming in here saying ‘I never knew you were here’.”

He added: “There are people in Halstead who have a lot of money but they’re going to other places to spend it. The town does need a better variety of businesses.”

One business owner added: “Halstead has always been the poor relation.

"The council has always spent money in Braintree and then forgotten everywhere else.”

Butcher Nick Hards suggested improving Halstead’s market.

He said: “It would give people a reason to come to Halstead on certain days.

“All of us businesses have loyal customers but it’s getting new people to come to the town that’s the problem.”

Braintree Council said it does not own any “significant land” in Halstead.

A spokesman said it was able to deliver the Manor Street proposals due to being the sole owner of the land it will be built on.