Roadworks causing trade to drop, businesses say

Shop owners said their takings had fallen between 15% and 75% since May

Ongoing roadworks through Leominster could have "catastrophic" consequences for small businesses, traders have told the BBC.

Shop owners on High Street and surrounding roads said takings had fallen by between 15% and 75% since conservation works began in May.

New road surfaces and wider pavements are being installed in Iron Cross, Victoria Street and Corn Street.

Herefordshire Council said it was not in a position to comment on the traders' concerns.

Samantha Morgan described the roadworks as "utterly catastrophic"

"It's made deliveries for local businesses very difficult and a lot of locals are no longer coming into the town," Samantha Morgan of Drapers Lane Delicatessen said.

"We surveyed 52 businesses and 99% of them had seen a reduction in trade - some as low as 10%, some as high as 75%.

"It's utterly catastrophic."

Traders are urging Herefordshire Council to reduce parking charges or suspend them until the work is complete.

The BBC observed some shoppers with mobility difficulties having to walk 100m (328ft) to the top of High Street and back again as they were obstructed from crossing the road.

Mark Parry said trade had dropped by about 30%

"We've seen trade drop by about 30%, people can't get about including access for shoppers on mobility scooters," said Mark Parry, of Parry’s Fruit and Veg.

"As the work progresses up the high street, our ability to get deliveries in will get worse. We haven't heard anything from the council yet, we need help and some free parking maybe, especially at weekends."

The improvements are part of the Leominster High Street Heritage Action Zone. The council's website said Historic England awarded grant funding of £1.3m while Herefordshire Council was spending £1.8m on the project.

The council previously said the work was expected to be completed in September

Previously the local authority said the work was expected to be completed in September and "all areas will remain open to pedestrians".

Some shop owner said they had had already reduced their opening hours to try and offset losses.

Initial planning meetings were held with the council, traders said, but recent delays to the scheme to address unforeseen drainage repairs had left them feeling as though they did not know what is going on.

Some traders are already considering a "Plan B" for their Christmas orders and staffing schedules in case the roadworks are still there.

Samantha Morgan said the work was essential, but how it had been delivered was putting some businesses at risk of closure.

"Leominster is full of independent businesses, just because we have some roadworks, please don’t stop coming," she said.

"When all the work’s finished, it’ll be amazing but what we don't want is when the works are clear, there are no businesses left."