Business owners are in disbelief as roadworks shut down a busy high street for the third time in a month.
St Peter’s Street, part of Canterbury’s high street, has been blocked since Friday morning while water board workers investigate another sinkhole opening up.
The same location was closed for four days at the beginning of May – having reopened after three weeks of work concluded just days before.
Keith Martin owns and operates Maria’s Canterbury Coffee Lounge and Ice Cream Parlour on the busy street.
“It’s the same people, the same hole, it’s two bank holidays in a row and now we’ve got the school holidays.
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“We long for this time of year when it’s especially busy on the high street, but these road closures have cost us 50% of our trade.
“All to dig up the same hole again and again – why?”
Works on the section of the road are due to be completed by June 5.
But until then, shopkeepers worry pedestrians approaching St Peter’s Street from the opposite side of the city’s main thoroughfare – seeing the fencing and digger truck – assume businesses ahead are inaccessible.
While roadworks continue, nearby restaurants, cafes and bars also have fewer tables at their disposal, as outdoor seating is restricted.
“I’m just fed up with it,” added Simon Bullock, manager of the Black Griffin pub.
“There are 18 people that could be sat out there now, but because of the road closure, we’ve had to take in our tables and chairs.
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“We would have thought it would have been sorted the first time of trying – in three weeks’ time who’s to say they won’t be back at it again?”
The original repairs had been required after the basement of Mezze Bar & Grill flooded in April.
But in the weeks since that work was completed, Southern Water crews have twice now been back, and the restaurant’s owner Hakan Ozlu says the situation has hurt the eatery’s bottom lines by as much as 70%.
“They tell me I should claim the losses back through my insurance, but if I do that my rates will go up next year,” said Mr Ozlu.
“We have spoken to a few other business owners nearby about potentially bringing legal action against Southern Water.
“At the very least, Southern Water owes us an apology.”
A spokesperson for the water company added: “Our teams are investigating a sinkhole which could cause the sewer to collapse.”
“Due to the nature of the work our teams are doing, it is necessary for a road closure to be in place as we continue the investigation and carry out further remedial work.
“We’re sorry for the impact this is having on residents, businesses and commuters but it is essential we can carry out this work safely.”
Robert Johnson is a UK-based business writer specializing in finance and entrepreneurship. With an eye for market trends and a keen interest in the corporate world, he offers readers valuable insights into business developments.
