Norfolk traders fear road closures will harm Christmas season

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 27 Oct, 07:02 · Archive

Shop owners in Norwich say planned road closures will damage their busiest trading period.

Shop owners in Norwich say they face their toughest trading period yet as Norfolk County Council plans further road closures around the Christmas season and January.

Traders have endured months of disruption from the £350m Anglia Square demolition project. The council has now scheduled a four-day closure between St Saviour's Lane and Colegate from 9 November, while Cadent Gas installs a new gas connection and upgrades an existing supply. In January, when traders say footfall is at its highest, a two-week closure is planned on Fye Bridge Street for safety improvement works.

Patrick Wilshire, owner of Looses Emporium antiques store, said the timing is devastating. 'It really is stacked against us. It could be the worst winter yet for trade. The lead-up to Christmas is our busiest time, and in January lots of people come in and spend their Christmas money,' he said. During the previous six-week closure in February, he reported a significant drop in footfall. He suggested the council carry out the work during evenings instead. Eric White, manager of record shop Out of Time, said traders rely on customers dropping off and picking up stock during these periods.

How it is being reported

• Frustrated traders fear 'worst winter yet' as busy road set to closeFrustrated shop owners battered by months of disruption from the Anglia Square demolition fear their toughest winter yet as trade faces another hit.Eastern Daily Press · 27 Oct, 06:00
• Frustrated traders fear 'worst winter yet' as busy road set to closeFrustrated shop owners battered by months of disruption from the Anglia Square demolition fear their toughest winter yet as trade faces another hit.Norwich Evening News · 27 Oct, 06:00

In this story: Norfolk County Council · Cadent Gas · Patrick Wilshire · Looses Emporium · Eric White · Out of Time · Norwich · Magdalen Street

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