5:00pm Tuesday 9th February 2010
By Katie Clark
TRADERS suffering from the closure of Bridge Street, Christchurch, are being offered a helping hand to claim compensation for loss of business.
Christchurch council says it will be writing to all the businesses in the area to tell them about the compensation scheme being offered by Southern Gas Networks.
With takings at many businesses in the town down on usual figures the council is also offering advice on a business rate reduction, which could be claimed from the valuation office.
Although access to businesses is still available, many traders have been hit hard by customers and shoppers keeping away from the town to avoid the perceived traffic problems.
But traders say that despite one of the main routes into the town being closed, traffic build-up through the High Street has not proved too problematic and are asking local people not to avoid the town for this reason.
Daren Williamson, owner of Crickle Wood shop in the High Street, said: “The road closure has put extra pressure on us, especially as we are dealing with the increase in business rates.
“January trading is always tough but it has had an effect on footfall in the town. I think the main problem has come from the buses not stopping in the town centre.
“With fewer people in the town, there are fewer people through the doors. We’ve had to focus our energy on other initiatives such as our website to ensure we’re not hit too badly.”
Terry Atkinson, secretary of Christchurch Chamber of Trade, added: “It has been tough for some of the businesses, especially the second and third week of the works.
“But now, with the road cleared slightly people can see that they can still get to places like La Mammas and Mostyns so the pressure has eased slightly.
“There are definitely some lessons to be learned for the future though.”
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