COMMUNITY leaders have hit out at plans to shut Melrose High Street over Easter weekend.

A stretch near the Greenyards will be closed all day during the Saturday and Sunday for the annual sevens tournament.

There will also be a two-week closure on St Mary’s Road, where a stand will be erected for the event.

And traders are worried it will affect footfall at one of their busiest times of the year.

Martin Baird, who is a butcher in the town, told the recent meeting of Melrose Community Council: “I am in favour of holding the sevens tournament, it is just a shame that the High Street will be closed over Easter Weekend. This High Street needs all the help it can get.”

Community councillor Graham Barker agreed, adding: “These are quite lengthy road closures.

“Closing off the High Street is effectively closing off the town.”

For the first time, the annual tournament will be run over four days.

At last Wednesday’s meeting, concerns were also raised about people getting access to the Parish Church on Easter Sunday.

But bosses at the local club say they are doing their best to minimise disruption.

Alan Wilkinson, operations manager at Melrose Rugby, said: “We haven’t considered parking at the Parish Church yet, but we will take that away and come up with a plan.

“There are lots of discussions to be had with the council and safety must come first.

“The High Street will be closed in the usual place, but this year it will be closed from Saturday morning until Sunday evening.

“However residents will still be able to get access.”

A packed programme of events is being planned.

And it will all kick off on Thursday, April 9, with the ‘A Question of Rugby’ quiz.

An under 18s competition will take place on the Friday and a nightclub will be set up in a marquee in Gibson Park.

The senior matches will be held over the Saturday and Sunday and the competition will finish with a concert. Mr Wilkinson said: “It will be an ambitious four-day event this year, because our ultimate aim is to attract the World Rugby Sevens in 2033.

“We are expecting 8,000 to 12,000 people on the Saturday and up to 1,500 for the nightclub event.

“We also think there will be around 2,000 people at the concert on the Sunday.

“The concert will be finished in time for people to get the last train from Tweedbank.

“However, we are hoping people will stay in the town longer when they come here. That will help local businesses.”