The campaign, Works Must Pay — run together with MA’s sister title Convenience Store — calls for a change in policy to ensure local businesses directly impacted by road or utility maintenance get a proportionate business rate refund or are adequately compensated by utilities, depending on the nature of the works.
Support
The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA), Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers (ALMR) and British Institute of Inkeeping (BII) have offered their full support to the campaign.
Mike Clist, chief executive of the BII, said the impact of roadworks shouldn’t be underestimated, with licensees relying heavily on footfall.
“Maintenance can dramatically decrease the traffic through their door or even make it impossible for the public to access,” he said. “Many of our members have seen their businesses suffer as a result and this adds to the considerable challenges they already face,” he said.
ALMR chief executive Kate Nicholls urged councils to consider the importance of pubs to the local economy.
“If life is made hard for businesses, this will undoubtedly have a negative effect on the area as a whole, something local authorities need to understand,” she said.
'Jumping through hoops'
Businesses should not be “jumping through hoops” to get the compensation they are rightfully entitled to, Nicholls argued.
BBPA chief executive Brigid Simmonds added: “We’ve always believed that local councils should be able to offer rate relief for pubs where business is disrupted by street works, and contractors should also agree compensation packages with local businesses when undertaking works.”
Shaun Rennison, who ran the now-closed Airmyn pub near Goole in East Riding of Yorkshire, successfully applied for compensation for loss of profit during a works scheme by the Environment Agency.
“It involved the closure of the main route through the village for several weeks, potentially cutting off a substantial amount of our trade,” he explained.
Rennison contacted the Environment Agency and, after filling out a form and a visit from a surveyor, was paid compensation.
'Cannot understand'
“I cannot understand why this has not been adopted by highways authorities or local councils,” he said.
Currently the Highways Agency and local councils have no legal obligation to compensate pubs for loss of trade in most roadworks schemes.
- Have you been affected by roadworks? Email liam.coleman@wrbm.com with your story