MEMORY LANE: What was happening 20 years ago this week?

On January 6, 1995, the Diss Express reported how campaigners fighting for Saturday parking in Diss were celebrating, after it was pledged to end the controversial ban.

The U-turn by South Norfolk Council was prompted by the results of a £2,000 public survey, in which 68 per cent of Diss residents voted to re-instate Saturday parking in the Market Place.

Shopkeeper and campaigner, Richard Hopgood, said he was very pleased with the council’s decision, and added: “This is a definite return to common sense.

“The results of the survey are certainly conclusive and it backs up what we have known for a long time.

“We had no end of shoppers saying they would not return to the town unless the parking ban was reversed, and this move will stop trade deteriorating further in the town.”

District deputy chief planning officer, John Bullock, said the planning committee to the decision to recommend ending the ban in a meeting on Wednesday, and added: “Although we have yet to see a full report, the preliminary results showed 68 per cent of residents wanted parking retained on Saturdays.”