Travel chaos and decimated footfall are threatening the future of dozens of small businesses in North Camp, Farnborough, as roadworks which should have taken 52 weeks are now set to take at least 70 weeks.
One takeaway is already planning to close and the survival of dozens more small businesses is threatened by the overrunning works to install a cycle lane, as highlighted by Nicky Kildunne, the Development Manager for the Federation of Small Businesses in Hampshire.
Following the initial consultation undertaken by Hampshire County Council with the business community before the works started in 2022, business owners felt confident that their needs would be taken into consideration. However, when works began in autumn of last year, it soon became clear that Hampshire County Council has thrown out all the terms agreed, leaving small business owners in the lurch and feeling deeply abandoned.
Ahmet Albayrak, owner of Belly Busters Kebab and Pizza, said:
“I’m losing business as my shop is near the roundabout which is closed. I used to get 30-40% of my trade from passing customers but now people can’t get to my shop easily. Alongside the roadworks my food and energy costs have increased dramatically. I can’t increase my prices as customers just aren’t coming. Both myself and my son have been working for nothing and that can’t continue”.
Mark Sullivan, owner of Big Fry fish and chip shop, said:
“Up to now I’ve lost £82,000, but there is no compensation from the council despite the prolonged nature of these roadworks and the massive impact they’re having on my business. I’m worried that once the contractors start digging up the other side of the pavement, things will get even worse. This situation isn’t sustainable, and we can’t survive this length of time without customers and huge costs”.
Nick Floyd, MD of Floyds Office Furniture, said:
“Work is not progressing as we would expect. It seems that Hampshire County Council fails to grasp the gravity of the financial hardships imposed on businesses and the disruptions caused to residents due to diverted traffic. There appears to be a lack of concern on their part.”
This horror for the business community of North Camp comes at a time when small businesses are experiencing one of the most difficult trading periods in living memory. A rollercoaster of challenges starting with the aftereffects of the pandemic, surging energy prices made even higher by the war in Ukraine, the cost of living and the closely-linked cost of doing business crisis, and mounting interest rates have left many small businesses fighting to keep the doors open even in the best of circumstances.
Nicky Kildunne, Development Manager for the Federation of Small Businesses in Hampshire, Dorset, and the Isle of Wight, said:
“Despite pleas for Hampshire County Council to sit down with the business community and work out a way forward, the council is not responding. Most of the businesses are experiencing severe financial hardship due to depleted footfall and significant drops in income. Without financial assistance, many will not survive this prolonged period of disruption.
“The businesses under threat need clarity on the timetable of works. The work was scheduled to run for 52 weeks, which has now slipped to 70. Every day that this project slips is money lost to these business owners. FSB wants to work with Hampshire County Council to protect this business community, and to ensure that North Camp remains a thriving centre for residents and businesses alike.”
Nicky and local business owners also recently went onto BBC Radio Surrey to speak about the issue, listen to the clip here:
Other media coverage:
Case studies are available upon request.
Area contact: Nicola Kildunne 07976 433372
