Businesses frustrated over pedestrianisation work

Businesses in Sleaford have said they are frustrated at the impact of pedestrianisation work in the town centre.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, some of those based in Market Place in the Lincolnshire town think the work could affect customer footfall even when it is finished.

Mitchell Griffiths, manager of CECE’S Bar & Grill, said business had been "really quiet" recently, as many people did not realise there was pedestrian access to the businesses around the construction work.

North Kesteven District Council, which has allocated more than £1m to the scheme, said the work would boost footfall and would create "a more attractive space for shops and traders to operate in".

Council leader Richard Wright said the scheme would enable Sleaford to remain "vibrant and successful as a town centre".

He added: "We are conscious that these are some significant works and are working with our contractor to mitigate the impact as much as we can.

"The hoarding is a necessary measure and is there primarily for everyone’s safety, while also helping to keep debris and rising dust contained as much as possible."

CECE's relies heavily on collections of online orders but, since the closure of Market Place, the convenience of parking outside the business has gone.

Mr Griffiths said: "We’ve had people come in and say they struggled to get here, and most of our customers are walk-ins, so we’ve been quieter through the week as well.

"There’s also been no advice on financial help or funding, even compensation, which is frustrating because we’ve definitely noticed a difference. The next three months are going to be a big struggle."

Market Place closed at the end of July and work started in August, with a view to it being completed in December – meaning Remembrance Day services will be moved elsewhere in November, and the market will be moved to Eastgate car park for the duration.

It’s been a controversial topic for many months, and several business owners around the square said they were frustrated with the plan itself, as well as with the current impact of the work on their trade.

The Solo, a bistro bar and hotel on Market Street, has been one of the more passionate opposing voices to the council’s plans, and owner Roy Corder and manager Fran Rawden said they were yet to be convinced.

“It looks good on design, but there’s no practicality to it,” they said. “Pedestrianisation just doesn’t make sense in England, especially with our weather. We’re not a city centre – this is a small town.”

They added: “We’ve had days where not one diner has come in because they don’t even know if we are open or if we’re here, or they’re going to choose somewhere else to go with more parking.

“We're expanding and taking over the nearby hotel rooms, and now we’re worried that we're going to have 16 hotel rooms with nowhere to offer guests to park."

Not everyone is against the scheme, though.

Elaine and Ellie, who work at Market Square Cafe & Restaurant, said it was a case of the town "moving with the times", and they cited similar changes in Lincoln city centre in recent years.

"Parking could be an issue, but we do have car parks elsewhere," they said. "I think it will look really nice and get people out and about.

"Ultimately, though, only time will tell."

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