A newsagency in a regional town has endured more than six months of major works in the road and footpath on which their business is situated. Business is down more than a third. The works took more than twice as long as they should and the council has offered no help. Their only explanation was that they hit a few snags.
This newsagency and a bunch of other retail shops have had to continue to pay rent, staff and other business costs. Some have spent more on marketing to counter the impact of the road works mess in front of their shop.
Local shoppers had an alternative, a shopping centre on the edge of town. Some shoppers who tried it because of the road works will not be back.
While I understand the need for councils to improve roads and footpaths, they have an obligation to move quickly, to pay a premium to get the work done with urgency so that business disruption is kept to a minimum.
As for the works – the end result is not worth the lost revenue to the newsagency and other businesses.