Widemarsh Street Roadworks Impact Business Sales

Losses of up to 50% in sales have been reported in Widemarsh Street following a survey from the Hereford BID on the impact of the 17-week road improvement program. Compensation on behalf of BID members has been sought from Herefordshire Council.

Feedback obtained from the 14 businesses who took part paints an alarming picture of poor communication, restricted or even refused access for deliveries during the day, and crucially, a devastating collapse in takings across the board. Many owners report feeling desperate, angry, and frustrated at an issue that was not of their making.

During a meeting with Hereford County Council representatives 10th July, the Hereford BID described the impact on businesses including the loss in trade coupled with the physical impact of the noise and dust as shoppers avoided the area. Barriers were often just 1 metre from shop frontages making it challenging for staff who were exposed for long periods of the day.

Whilst everyone who spoke to the Hereford BID was happy to see the road improved, it was widely felt that it was unfair to expect retailers to shoulder the financial burden. To make matters worse, a foreman on site told the Hereford BID that there were not enough acoustic barriers to cover the whole of the building site. In our view this further risks incidents of noise disturbances.

Mike Truelove, CEO for the Hereford BID said “it is with great disappointment that we heard from Herefordshire Council it will not be possible to compensate traders as there is no obligation in law, and to do so would open the floodgates to claims around the county. Whilst I understand both points, there is the moral question of expecting businesses to continue to pay their normal outgoings whilst effectively prohibiting them from fully trading across almost one third of the year – this seems rather unjust, and it is within the Council’s gift to give something back”.

The Hereford BID advises affected businesses to check their insurance policies for business disturbance cover as well as contact the VOA online where reductions on business rates are possible for losses caused by road works.