Time running out for Hersham's broken clocks (From Your Local Guardian)

Time running out for Hersham's broken clocks

10:30am Monday 25th June 2012 in Elmbridge By Louise Robertson

Hersham has been frozen in time as its three village clocks are all broken.

It was estimated they stopped working 10 years ago and now work is under way to get them up and running so Hersham can move with the times.

The clocks are all broken and, although they are right twice a day, they are not much use to anyone who wants to know the time.

Hersham’s shopping centre manager Edward Oola said: “Many towns have clocks and it’s something that’s good to have. To be honest, most people don’t even know it’s there at the moment."

Mr Oola said he would look at getting one clock, above the now vacant hardware shop, illuminated to make a feature of it.

Mr Oola obtained £4,323 from the Elmbridge Civic Improvement Fund to boost the appearance of Hersham’s shops, and will look at fixing the clocks as part of that.

The money will help with signs and planting to make people aware of what the town has to offer, and it was hoped the new-improved appearance would attract more businesses to the empty shops.

Councillor Mary Sheldon said: “People drive around Hersham, through Queens Road, and round the lovely green and see empty shops.

“They don’t know about all the stuff going on behind it in the centre, and signs will help direct people and identify what’s of offer.”

One Hersham resident, who has lived in the town for 60 years, said the area needed better cash point facilities and a cheap snack bar, while another said a traditional tea shop would draw in shoppers.