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Town open for business after extended road closure

Edward RowePolitical Reporter, BBC News Gloucestershire
News imageBBC The image shows the interior of a cheerful sweet shop with pink-painted walls and a playful, festive atmosphere. Shelves are stocked with a variety of confectionery, and a wooden-topped counter featuring a large heart design on the front displays boxes of sweets, jars, and other treats. Behind the counter, glass jars are filled with assorted sweets, and a Jelly Belly jelly bean display is visible on the right-hand side. Decorative touches such as bunting and circular signs reading "LOVE YOU," "HAPPY BIRTHDAY," and "BE MINE" hang from the ceiling, adding to the celebratory feel. A person wearing a checked shirt and black trousers stands in front of the counter with their hands clasped together.BBC
Tony Davey (pictured) is the interim Chairman of 'Love Nailsworth' and owns Confection Affection

A community that was closed off for more than a month after roadworks over-ran is once again open for business.

George Street in Nailsworth, Gloucestershire, was originally closed for two nights to allow for resurfacing but workers damaging a gas main led to massive delays.

Some business owners in the town centre say they are struggling to receive compensation after the road was closed for four weeks.

A spokesperson for Wales and West Utilities said it has been in contact with some businesses who had enquired about compensation linked to a potential loss of trade.

Tony Davey, interim Chairman of 'Love Nailsworth' who represents retail workers in the town, said the compensation process has been 'challenging' for some businesses.

"One of the businesses has found it particularly difficult because they've been told their minimum losses had to be £8,000 to be able to make a claim," Mr Davey explained.

The business group is now running a marketing campaign to get more people into the town, including posters in local buses, advertising on social media and promoting the market.

News imageA large red Road Closed sign is next to a number of traffic cones and red bollards indicating that the road is closed. The road surface has been taken up which is why the road is closed and the shops look empty.
The closure of George Street in Nailsworth should have been just two days, but lasted four weeks

Kate Comaish the manager of the Deli in the town said 'Everybody was affected' by the George Street Closure.

"I think the biggest impact was on our restaurant as people were nervous about being caught out with two hour [parking] limits," she said.

The big issue, according to the Love Nailsworth group, was a lack of communication from Gloucestershire County Council, something that they say has now been resolved after a number of meetings with the council and other partners.

"We don't want this to happen again but if it does we have a better management strategy going forward," said Mr Davey.

News imageThe image shows two individuals standing behind a counter at a fishmonger's stall, both wearing aprons branded with the logo "WILLIAM'S Fishmongers." In front of them, trays are neatly arranged and filled with a variety of fresh fish and seafood, each clearly labelled with prices per kilogram. The labels include: Ocean Trout – £37/kg, Tuna – £41/kg, Flathead Fillets – £26.65/kg, Hapuka Fillet – £59/kg, Giant Prawns – $65/kg, Butterflied Snapper Fillets – £49.50/kg, and Wild Sea Bass Whole – £38/kg. The setup suggests a clean, professional market environment focused on quality seafood offerings.
Michael Croft (left) and Kate Comaish (right) say business has gone back to normal now George Street is back open

A spokesperson for Wales & West Utilities told us it was "an extremely challenging repair" and they apologise for the inconvenience.

Businesses who want to make a claim for any losses need to do so by 15 November.

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