Bewdley traders call for compensation
Thursday 22nd April 2010, 11:29AM BST.
Traders are calling for compensation over months of roadworks which they claim have “devastated” trade in Bewdley as takings have dropped.
Businesses fear it could take up to two years to recover from the effects of the work to replace old pipes, which is set to be completed by next month.
Many traders have already submitted claims to Severn Trent Water and the National Grid, in a bid to claw back lost income.
They claim visitor numbers have plummeted and residents have avoided the town since work started on the scheme in January.
Anthony Thompson, who runs the Bewdley Farm Shop in Dog Lane and Bewdley Bakeaway in Load Street, is among those seeking compensation.
He said: The bakery has been hit harder than the farm shop. It has lost 35 per cent of its trade which is an awful lot to lose.
“The farm shop has lost around 28 per cent. The question now is how much will be given back, because it will certainly not be the amount lost.
“But the real concern is that this problem will not just stop when the roadworks are completed in May.
“People are not just going to start coming back into the town. They have got into new shopping habits over the past four months.
“I believe it’s going to take a good 12 months to two years to get Bewdley back to where it was.
“First it was the floods and now the roadworks have taken their toll. This really has devastated trade.”
Spokeswoman for Severn Trent Gill Dickinson said: “Any traders who believe the works have adversely affected their business we would urge to look at our Loss of Profit scheme.”
National Grid spokesman Antony Quarrell added teams worked extended hours to ensure the work was completed promptly.
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Typical whinging shop keepers.
It’s quite simple – if you don’t like the circumstances, go away and leave us all alone.
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When you dont know what you are talking about dont comment. Bewdley has been devasted by the roadworks, FACT.Mr Baker please do not comment on something you know nothing about.
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hi there we run a tearoom in bewdley as as we are a new business we find it very difficult to see the future yes some people do whinge however it needed to be done the last time it was done was 109 years ago so i think it was due
i beleive that they were on schedule if not ahead of schedule if its your kivelyhood i understand however if prices are high then people will not come into the town they would rather go else where than wait in a queue of be charged by a traffic wardon
grannystap
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Have you ever heard of a full stop?
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I am a regular visitor to Bewdley and have managed to shop there easily. FACT.
I suggest that you don’t comment about me when YOU don’t know the facts.
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FACT I do run a business in Bewdley and am therefore able to comment. bewdley may recover if people return to visit after 5 Months of disruption. Naive comments from ill informmed people do not help.
Visit Bewdley for its up and coming events, for its newly refurbished Pubs and restaurants. your positive support is always welcome. See you soon.
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Trevor. Which business do you run in town then?
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I am a local businesswoman, running a B&B and have definitely noticed a drop in trade. However, I think there are more factors to be considered than the roadworks, although I for one am heartily sick of them as we seem to have had temp. traffic lights in Bewdley for the last 4 years – wish I had shares in the company that supplies them! Parking in Bewdley has always been a problem and I feel the local town council could have done a lot more than they have to keep us all going during the upheaval. I believe it was suggested to make the carparks free during afternoon shopping hours and there have been variations on the theme, but our council seems more interested in getting in the money-even if the numbers are substantially reduced.
I wish you all well with the compensation claims.
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Having listened to most of the concerns of the local traders in Bewdley, I would like to know how they will be promoting their businesses and the town in general to attract the visitors to return. Many of the residents are supporting the businesses and feel it is the visitors who haven’t yet returned. This could be due to the reccession, the attractions we have to offer or the increase cost of fuel and transprot in general.
I look forward to any constructive comments which may increase the trade in Bewdley.
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I am a local Bewdley resident and have tried to continue to support our local shops. There will always be some shops that do not survive a down turn caused by what ever reason if they do not sell what people want to buy. My biggest concern is that it is some of our most vital shops, and those shopkeepers who do the most for the town, who are now feeling hard times. We cannot afford to loose these key players in our lovely town. Can we all try and support them and ask everyone we know to come and look at the town over Discover Bewdley May bank holiday, and hope that the visitors will come back and shop again.
Thank you traders – stick with it and we will stick with you.
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FACT. You can comment when you run a business in town as I do.Bewdley may recover if people are positive about its future. If they visit to see the Angel or Baillifs House two GREAT new additions to town. Come and support the fantastic events planned in the next few months, starting with the Mughouse Beer Festival, then Discover Bewdley, then the Pub and Club Regatta. Come to Bewdley, A GREAT town with GREAT people. FACT.
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Residents are indeed our “bread and butter” and we very much appreciate their loyalty. It is, however, essential for our survival that tourists continue to visit the town and are not continually faced with ongoing roadworks and diversions. We hope that the planned events will bring much needed tourism to the town and that their visit will not be marred by further disruptions.
Bewdley Bakeaway Ltd
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I have owned a business in the town for 22 years and have many loyal customers ( for which i am very grateful!) However i have been hit not only by a lack of passing trade but also the consistent problems of travelling in and out of the town to deliver goods to businesses and residents of Bewdley, including elderly persons who rely on the service.
I am most definately NOT a “whinging shopkeeper” but one who is very keen to serve the people of Bewdley ( Be it locals or tourists !!)
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