A GROUP of students have been working together to come up with ideas for the future of Hitchin’s Churchgate centre.

The Year 9 Priory School students, which include Claudia Brett-Hulse, Emma Kelly, James Chapman, Sally Minty, Cameron Milone and Hollie Jordan, have been talking to locals about the proposals for the centre.

It is part of their GCSE coursework, which they chose because of their interest in the development.

“We work together to come up with ideas to make Churchgate the heart of the community and make it a clean, safe and enjoyable place to be,” said Claudia.

“It always seems to be adults who are asked about it, people don’t seem to think about what youths want.

“We wanted to do this from a child’s perspective, and see what younger people also thought about the whole thing.”

The group have conducted surveys in the town, asking locals for their comments. Most responses cited empty shops and graffiti as the biggest problem in the area.

The youngsters, who have also spoken to town centre manager Keith Hoskins and leader of North Herts District Council Cllr Lynda Needham, have said that they would like to see a sensory garden in the town.

“We have come to the conclusion that Churchgate should have a sensory garden that can be multi-generational and graffiti walls so that people can express themselves and make our town unique,” said Claudia.

“We also think artistic sculptures could be put in that you can sit on to add some life to Churchgate.”

The group will now organise a stall in July to show other youngsters their work.