'Pointless' to stay open due to regeneration work, trader says

A shop worker in County Tyrone has said ongoing construction work forced them to close for several days because of a sharp drop in customers.

Harold Moore, who works in The Pet Store and Urban Barn giftware in Castlederg, said when the works were taking place outside their premises they had to shut their doors temporarily.

"We closed and went home, it was pointless," he said.

Derry City and Strabane District Council said a meeting would take place this week to address concerns raised.

The work is part of the Castlederg Public Realm regeneration project which is part of the wider Derg Active Scheme.

The £6.5m project is funded by the UK Government Levelling Up Fund and council.

More than £5,000 of that money was put towards improving the Diamond area in the centre of the town and its surrounding areas.

Moore said it was great to see money being spent on the town but the work had been very slow.

Wee Buns Café, which is located in the centre of the town, is currently surrounded by the works, with no clear sign of when they will be completed.

Erinn Duffy, who helps to run the family-owned cafe, said it was becoming increasingly difficult to manage the business and the works were affecting footfall.

"We were looking at our takings from last January to this January and there's a massive change, and while that can be due to the cost of living, the changes are surreal," she said.

"We've had many customers contacting us asking if we are closed or open and asking if there is access."

Last week, the cafe saw many customers come after the launch of a new menu but Duffy said as the works moved to in front of the shop, there was a dramatic drop in footfall, which forced the business to close early.

"So we went from a really good week to absolutely nothing, just silence. We've had to send staff home," she said.

Duffy said it was demoralising for staff and for the business.

"They are losing money, we are losing money and you risk losing staff who might look for jobs elsewhere."

She added that there were a number of health and safety concerns surrounding the work.

"Where my staff have to come out and take the bins out there's a giant hole, which is easily a hazard."

In addition, Duffy said deliveries had become a problem.

"There is nowhere for them to go, so they are dumping their deliveries at the top of the street, we are having to bring it all down, to be walking great distances with heavy loads is completely unacceptable."

Ulster Unionist councillor Derek Hussey, who also owns a business in the town, said he welcomed the work but added that people were frustrated.

"We need answers. What is the hold up and when is this work expected to be completed?" he said.

Hussey said this stage of the works began in January, with the entire project expected to be completed by the end of this month. However, he does not believe that is achievable.

"What's happening is you have a business that has built up a momentum and that momentum has been stopped by what's going on here," he added.

"In a small town like this, when you get that lack of momentum it can lead to concerns.

"I would trust that it wouldn't get to the stage where businesses have to close, but it might not be far off it. They need customers over the threshold and this prevents that."

Derry City and Strabane District Council said it and contractors would engage directly with affected businesses early this week to provide an update on the works and address any issues raised with a view to finding solutions.