Traders say Trowbridge improvements hitting takings

Three independent retailers in The Shires say their trade is down by 20 per cent or more because of Wiltshire Council’s major improvements to Fore Street, Manvers Street and Wicker Hill.

Their situation is likely to get worse on Monday, May 13 when the council’s contractors start work on the second phase of the project to improve access for pedestrians and cyclists.

The works are being paid for out of the £16.3 million Wiltshire Council received for Trowbridge from the government's Future High Streets Fund.

The Aray Jewellery shop in The Shires at Trowbridge. Image: Trevor Porter 76994-2 (Image: Trevor Porter)

Amanda Stacey, who owns Aray Jewellers in The Shires, said her takings have dropped by 50 per cent in recent weeks, and she’s now struggling to make enough to pay her rent and her daughter Rhiannon’s wages.

“For three days out of six last week we did not take any money at all. Not one penny and that is not usual for us.

“We generally average £200 to £300 a day, but we are only taking at least half of that and we can’t make a living out of that.”

Ms Stacey, who lives at Upavon, runs two jewellery shops in Basingstoke and Trowbridge, with the latter managed by her daughter Rhiannon, 22.

Rhiannon said: “I talk to our customers and no-one’s really coming in from other towns and that’s the problem.

She says that customers from Bradford and Bath that usually visit have stopped coming into Trowbridge because of the works taking place since January that are likely to last 12 months.

“We were doing really well up until they literally started that. It’s too coincidental but it is going to get worse because they are coming all the way up here.

“It causes a lot of stress when the business is quiet. If we can’t pay the bills we haven’t really got any other way of doing it. We already work seven days a week.”

Advisory signs warn motorists of three months of delays in Fore Street, Manvers Street and Wicker Hill from May 13. Image: Trevor Porter 77000-1 (Image: Trevor Porter)

Nihal Singh, who manages the Mobile Booth in The Shires, said his takings are down about 20 to 30 per cent, adding: “For the last two weeks it has been quiet.

“There are no people in The Shires. Normally it is busy. It is now 3pm and my last sale was 1pm.”

Tony Pinto, owner of the Intermezzo sandwich shop and takeaway, who has been in a unit at the Fore Street entrance to The Shires for 25 years, said his takings were down by at least 20 per cent.

“People are walking by and driving by but from May 13 they are not going to be driving by.

“When they were doing the pavements at the bottom it was absolute chaos. It won’t be finished until September and I’m not looking forward to it all.”

Sarah Moore, centre manager at The Shires, says all traders have received a letter from Wiltshire Council outlining the second phase of the improvements, which should be completed by early September.

Mrs Moore said she has received “no complaints” from any of the traders in The Shires about a drop in footfall because of the works.

Cllr Nick Holder, Wiltshire Council's Cabinet Member for Highways, Flooding and Streetscene, said: “We recognise that road improvements, such as the scale of the works taking place at Manvers Street, Fore Street and Wicker Hill in Trowbridge town centre can cause disruption and we apologise for any inconvenience to residents and business owners.

“During the first phase, all the works have been completed without the need for significant traffic management, so vehicles and pedestrians have managed to move throughout the town centre, including The Shires, unhindered. Vehicular access to The Shires car park was similarly unaffected.

“Phase two will commence from Monday, 13 May and continue the widening and surfacing of footpaths on Wicker Hill and Fore Street, along with the formation of parking and loading bays and installation of street furniture.

"Due to the nature of the works, temporary traffic management will be in place to ensure that safe access is maintained for members of the public, local businesses and contractors. Whilst there will be a road closure on Wicker Hill, pedestrian and vehicular access to and from The Shires will remain unaffected.

“During this second phase, our contractors will remain in close contact with businesses to ensure disruption is kept to a minimum. I would like to reassure everyone that businesses in the area are open as usual and pedestrian access will be maintained at all times.

“The town centre also benefits from good public transport links and whilst some bus stop locations have been impacted by various works around the town centre, alternative stops have been provided and the bus services continue to run, so there’s plenty of opportunity to access local shops.

“One of our Business Plan priorities is to have vibrant, well-connected communities. These improvements are being funded from the £16m investment from the government’s Future High Streets Fund to revitalise the town centre and this is one of several big investments and development opportunities that will provide a real boost to the town and businesses in the future.”