Roadworks
Works Must Pay: The pubs fighting for roadworks compensation
Blue Parrot Bar and Grille, Manchester
A complete refurbishment earlier this year was followed by two weeks of ‘fantastic’ trading. “Then overnight came the roadworks from hell,” licensee Keith Flanagan told the PMA.
“Takings were as little as £40 per day. This went on for two months putting me out of business.”
The Blue Parrot is now only open weekends, with Flanagan saying he’s not able to pay the bills. “And no one seems to give a damn. So, so unfair,” the licensee added.
Green Bricks, Hull
Owner Paul Weeks estimated roadworks had cost him up to £6,000 a week for several months. He said there had been no compensation despite appeals for support.
The business relies on passing trade, but the licensee believes many customers assumed they were closed, or didn’t want to come in when they see the works.
The Needless Inn, Morley, Leeds
Licensee Darren Burrows estimated he lost £12,000 due to a series of road closures and temporary traffic lights. He went through the complaints procedures for loss of trade, but was told the council had no liability and there would, therefore, be no compensation.
“We are the only business on the road in question, and there was no consultation or communication. Initially no one was bothered about discussing how any financial damage could be kept to a minimum,” Burrows said.
He also took issue with signage, which he felt was misleading, and directing customers and suppliers away from the pub.
Station Hotel, Hucknall, Nottinghamshire
Licensee Jason Birch estimated he was out of pocket to the tune of £20,000 because of disruption outside his venue this year.
Nottinghamshire County Council refused to compensate him, and Birch said he feared the pub would now go under due to debts.
The William Hardwicke, Bognor Regis
Works began outside the pub four months ago. Licensee Alan Frith estimated the pub is losing about £3,000 a week. He told the PMA the loss of trade has put the pub “under extreme pressure”.
He has contacted West Sussex County Council but said there had been no news of any impending compensation.
