Roadworks drive out another Wolverhampton business
Roadworks in Wolverhampton city centre have claimed another victim as bosses at a rehearsal studio said they were leaving.
The studio is based in Princess Alley, which has been inaccessible for traffic from Princess Street for almost a year.
It is the second firm in a week to announce it will be leaving Wolverhampton as a direct result of the roadworks.
The Beat Foundry Rehearsal Studio was set up 20 years ago but its boss said the roadworks were 'killing off' trade and that the council had 'destroyed' the city.
The misery of dug up streets, restricted pavements and the constant din of pneumatic drills has pushed many of the firms around Princess Street to the brink.
And while the council has thanked businesses for 'bearing with us' as the work is being carried out, some of them will not be around at its conclusion.
The £1.6 million project has already seen its first high-profile casualty, with upholsterers E. Marsh announcing its store in Princess Street will be closing in June, bringing an end to more than 100 years of trading in the city centre.
The Beat Foundry offers rehearsal space and recording facilities for local musicians.
But owner Steve Harrington said he is now looking for premises outside the city as a result of the roadworks 'killing off' his trade.
"The council have destroyed the town," he said. "The road layout is an absolute mess and I can't see it getting any better, despite what they are calling 'improvements'.
"They have not considered the businesses that operate in this area while the work has been going on. We've had the bus station and the Metro to deal with as well. It's never-ending."
Traffic has not been able to access Princess Alley from Princess Street since June last year.
Mr Harrington, from Tettenhall, said this has meant vans carrying musical equipment have only been able to get to the studio via Berry Street.
"It means they have to come down Pipers Row and part of that is only accessible to buses and taxis," he added.
"You also have the coaches stopping there which means it's a bottleneck half the time. A lot of my customers have given up. It's hardly surprising."
He added: "The next move we make will be out of Wolverhampton. I can't see the place turning around in the next few years."
