'Our business just died, it is in ruins'

Businesses and residents in Eastgate House were evacuated in November 2023

Shop owners evacuated from a town centre tower block in Surrey nearly a year ago over safety concerns say they're worried about their businesses surviving.

A prohibition order was issued over the condition of Eastgate House in Woking in November 2023.

Woking Borough Council (WBC) ordered ground floor businesses and a total of 100 tenants to leave the building after a structural report on concrete walls and ceilings.

Southern Housing Group, which owns the building, says its structural engineers are "reviewing the results of ongoing tests at Eastgate to assess the building’s future".

Hassan Malik, who runs Pearl Dry Cleaners, told BBC Radio Surrey: "They gave us just an hour to grab what we could and we had to leave.

"We had to lock up our business and walk away. Our business just died, it is in ruins.

"It is heart-breaking."

Jinny Weller has run Pin Up Curls hairdressers for 17 years.

She said: "I had a client at the door I had to turn away. It was very stressful.

"We're just hoping from one month to the next that we're going to hear an update.

"We are just left dangling. It has been an absolute nightmare."

Southern Housing Group said: "Given the complexity of the situation, we’re prioritising thoroughness and safety."

Ann-Marie Barker, leader of Woking Borough Council, said: “I am deeply concerned for those individuals and families displaced."

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