FOOTBALL has always possessed an inherent ability to impact favourably on the local business community.

Whether boosting productivity in factories around the country, or selling a few thousand more of those much-missed Saturday night football papers, a positive result could work wonders in boosting the feelgood factor.

So can the rebirth of Hereford FC help local businesses in the city during the next nine months?

Pre-season crowds have been encouraging and Joan Parry, who co-owns the The Welcome Fish Bar in Widemarsh Street along with her sister Annie, is one of those hoping that the return of football to Edgar Street will prompt an upturn in sales.

She said: “We always used to do well on match days in the past, especially when there were coaches with away fans at the games.

“We used to be busy both before and after the games at times, though it hasn’t been anything like as busy over the last few seasons.

"But it is good to see Hereford back, it can only help businesses like ours, especially if they have some success and start to get some bigger crowds.”

Kelly Alexander, of Alexander’s Barbers, also in Widemarsh Street, is another who is hoping to benefit.

She said:?“I?have only been here six months so I don’t know what it was like before, but I have definitely seen an increase in foot traffic past the shop at the pre-season games.

“It goes quieter around kick-off time but hopefully we will get more people popping in for a haircut on match days when they are in the area.”

Joanne Lucas, the marketing officer of The Courtyard, which is just a stray goal kick away from the ground, added: “Anything that draws more people into the area has got to be good for businesses near the ground.

“People who park nearby can walk past The Courtyard and see what is on, and perhaps pop into our cafe too, so football returning to Edgar Street can only be good news.”

Mike Ashton, chief executive of the Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce, added: “It is great for local businesses that Hereford FC are back and it is an excellent goal for businesses in the county. The football club is one of our well-known brands and is central to the community.

“Hereford FC provide plenty of sponsorship opportunities for local businesses and they will also bring lots of visitors from across the UK to Herefordshire.”

*HEREFORD mayor Charles Nicholls wants to get car parking charges in Hereford relaxed or suspended on Saturday afternoons to help both Hereford FC and local businesses.

Councillor Nicholls, formerly a businessmen in the Butter Market in High Town, said: “I am delighted to see football back at Edgar Street after the trials and tribulations of last season and I was heartened to hear that Hereford FC have sold over 1,200 season tickets.

“Of course that is nothing like the sort of crowds they used to get in their heyday when they reached the old Second Division in the 1970s but it is still good to see so many people getting behind the new club.

“But I am concerned the proposed on-street car parking charges will not only hit Hereford FC, but local businesses in the city as well. Business is very fragile and I believe both local businesses and Hereford FC need all the help they can get.

“I am fearful that the new car parking charges will affect the city badly and I think that they should be relaxed or even cancelled for two or three hours on Saturday afternoons.

“I am in the process of setting up a working party or committee to look into the matter.”