Wolverhampton shop owner's despair at i54 work
A shop owner in Wolverhampton says her business is 'on the brink of closure' just 12 months after it opened, claiming long-running roadworks for the i54 business park have caused trade to plummet.
Lynn Roberts, who runs Olive Grove on Stafford Road, Fordhouses, said her business was suffering because of the multi-million pound revamp of the landmark Vine Island.
The work is being carried out ahead of Jaguar Land Rover opening a £500 million engine plant on the business park site.
But Ms Roberts said she was now struggling to meet the rent demands for the property and has now resorted to offering prizes and group discounts at her home interiors store.
The £3.5m project at the junction of Stafford Road and Wobaston Road isn't due for completion until next year.
Lydia Barnstable, Wolverhampton City Council's head of transportation, said: "The council has been working closely with the contractor to minimise disruption. This is an extremely important project that will support the i54 South Staffordshire scheme."
