Knutsford cafe owner: ‘We can’t stand 10 weeks of roadworks’ (From Knutsford Guardian)

Knutsford cafe owner: ‘We can’t stand 10 weeks of roadworks’

2:30pm Thursday 7th March 2013 in News By James Wilson

A CAFE owner in Knutsford believes the latest round of roadworks could finish off more of the town’s independent businesses.

Knutsford’s roads have struggled to cope with the combination of the Aldi roadworks and the town’s ongoing gas repairs in the past week.

Traffic lights on Brook Street, paired with roadworks in various locations around the town has meant tortuous journeys for Knutsfordians during morning and evening rush-hour.

The roadworks associated with the new supermarket have caused the biggest problems and traders have this week told the Guardian they believe some businesses could disappear altogether if something is not done.

But Gordon Greig, who owns Cafe Wisteria on King Street, told the Guardian he had seen his profits hit since the roadworks on Brook Street started.

“My business has been growing very nicely in the past six weeks but since it has started it has dropped off,” he said.

“There are a lot of traders sick to the back teeth and when you think Knutsford has been dug up three times and it’s absolutely disgraceful. People won’t come here if they can’t get in.

“Knutsford can’t stand 10 weeks of this and it has taken people an hour just to get out of town.”

And Gordon warned he may have to lay off staff if the work continued to affect his business in the way it has.

“You’re talking about educated people making these decisions at the council but what are they thinking about?” he said.

“The councillors complain to them but they just do what they want.

“Someone with a bit of creative and imaginative thinking could have come up with a better solution than the current mess.”

 What do you think about the roadworks affecting trade? have you been directly affecte? Email yourviews@guardiangrp.co.uk.