'For the first two days I just cried' - Town centre road closure causes concerns for businesses
Town centre traders in Stafford have hit out at a council decision to shut a busy road in both directions while work is carried out – and a takeaway boss says passing trade has plummeted since the closure.
A section of Doxey Road at Broad Eye has been closed and Chell Road is currently only open to one-way traffic while highways improvements are carried out.
Businesses near the Broad Eye Windmill remain open. But there are concerns that the closure of Doxey Road is putting off potential customers as well as food delivery services.
Kully Kaur, who has won awards for her business and runs Windmill Fish Bar, said the closure has been “emotionally upsetting”. “I’ve been back here for five years and I’ve improved this shop – if somebody is homeless and needs a meal then we support them”, she said.
“I only found out about the closure when they put the sign up saying the road was closed for nine months. I didn’t have a letter.
“It is mental torture. For the first two days I just cried, then anxiety kicked in.
“I’m getting no passing trade – on one Saturday lunchtime I had not a single customer and one day I took £3.60 all lunchtime for six hours’ work. That doesn’t cover my gas.”
