Member Article

Roadworks driving customers away say seaside businesses

A seaside town is feeling the pinch as small businesses bear the brunt of road closures that are driving custom away from the town centre.

Tynemouth’s Front Street is currently undergoing a £100,000 project to create more parking spaces, improve traffic flows as well as road surfaces.

However, a number of local businesses claim that the work is causing a disruption to deliveries, with some firms stating that turnover is down by as much as 25% due to the road closures throughout the working week.

Martin Hewitt, store manager of the Co-operative supermarket in Tynemouth, said: “Obviously it needs to be done because of the state the road was in before, but from my point of view we’ve lost a lot of sales.

“Compared to this time last year we’re actually £7,000 down on turnover, so the only logical explanation is because of the road (works).”

Other businesses which claim to have been affected include the Cumberland Arms and Hugo’s pubs and DeliBarOne - with some companies telling bdaily about a dip in trade of up to 25%.

Work started on the on the first phase on Monday, March 7, and is set to last for up to four weeks.

Roads affected by the works will be Front Street, Hotspur Street, Percy Park Road and Allendale Place.

A North Tyneside Council spokesman said: “We worked closely with businesses in the lead-up to this road improvement scheme and many have told us that they welcome the work.

“It will lead to a greater turnover of parking spaces, which directly benefits local businesses, better traffic flows, a safer pedestrian environment and an improved road surface. There will also be new dedicated loading bays to aid deliveries to the shops.

“We apologise for any inconvenience while the work is carried out but can assure people that it will be completed as quickly and safely as possible.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .