TRADERS claim Wyre Forest District Council is turning Kidderminster’s Lion Street into a “no-go area” by dumping drug addicts, alcoholics and homeless people near their businesses.

The council says the location is ideal for vulnerable people to access town centre services and traders should not be prejudge them as “undesirable”.

“There has been a decline in the area over the last few years,” said Vivien Lapham, owner of the Antique Centre in Lion Street.

“The reason for that is when the council are making planning decisions, they don’t show any respect for established businesses and they dump people who I would call anti-social here.”

She said she had witnessed fighting and drug dealing outside her shop which, she believed, frightened away customers.

As work starts on a foyer for homeless 16 to 25-year-olds, at the junction of Bromsgrove Street and Lion Street, shop owners fear their livelihoods will suffer.

“I’m dreading it,” added Mrs Lapham. “This place is turning into a no-go area.”

A Crime Reduction Initiative (CRI) already exists in neighbouring Coventry Street, working with those affected by drugs, alcohol and crime.

The Lion Hotel in Lion Street is used by a number of authorities to provide emergency housing.

Another business owner, who did not want to be named for fear of being targeted by criminals, said: “People congregate outside my shop, drinking, smoking cannabis, sitting in the bus stop and generally making a nuisance of themselves.”

She added: “I don’t think [the CRI] should be in a town centre. It’s not fair for traders who are just trying to earn a decent living.”

Bob Isaac, manager of Ian Warner Jewellery and Antiques in Lion Street said: “It’s tough but they’ve got to go somewhere. Wherever you put them it’s going to be wrong.

David Murdoch, manager of the Lion Hotel, said: “I am extremely proud of the work I do.

“The people I deal with are vulnerable. They are very grateful and they always move on. To some people we offer a frontline service.”

Julian Philips, the district council’s cabinet member for place shaping, said: “I feel it would be improper that all [The Lion Hotel’s] guests should be prejudged 'undesirable'.

“If there are illegal incidents taking place in this area, then it is a police matter.

“However, I might add that this is the first notification I have received of such problems in this area over the last 12 months.”

Speaking about the upcoming foyer, the Conservative added: “Being in the town centre, it is ideally placed for the tenants to access services such as the Youth House, Connexions, Jobcentre Plus and the college.

“This project is about improving the quality of life for young people in the district and the county and we welcome it."