Coulsdon trader threatens to shut up shop because of roadworks

by Matt Johnson

matt.johnson@essnmedia.co.uk

Businesses in Coulsdon are suffering so badly from ongoing roadworks that one town centre trader is considering closing down until they finish.

Work at the junction of Brighton Road and Chipstead Valley Road in the town centre began two weeks ago.

But traders say noise, dust and a lack of parking spaces are putting people off coming to the town.

Ercan Isiktas, manager of the Wimpy restaurant in Chipstead Valley Road, said: "We can't do any business in the daytime. It gets to nearly lunchtime and we only have two people here. It's ridiculous.

"The work is putting customers off. They can't sit here because of the noise.

"I'm thinking about closing down temporarily for maybe four weeks. It depends on how business goes. I have to earn a wage but I'm losing customers. It might be easier not to open."

The work, which forms part of the council's improvement scheme for Coulsdon, is to resurface the junction of the two roads and nearby areas of pavement.

The council expects it will last a further four weeks but some traders may not be able to wait that long.

Mr Isiktas, who runs the restaurant with one other full-time member of staff, says he is currently barely making enough money to clear his expenses, which are typically between £4,000 and £5,000 a month.

Another business owner, Mohammed Barbar, took over the former Taylor's Toys and Sports shop in Chipstead Valley Road on May 26, before the works began.

He turned it into a new branch of his department store Harris & Danyal.

But when the new shop opened on June 17 Mr Barbar said he immediately noticed an impact from the roadworks.

He said: "Of course it's a problem, especially for getting all the deliveries. It means you have to carry stuff all the way up the road.

"That's what has been happening the last three weeks.

"It's the same for the customers. It's hard for them to park. We're losing business, there's no doubt."

A council spokesman said the work was due to be completed by the end of July. He added: "By avoiding a full road closure engineers are doing their best to keep access to shops and businesses as unaffected as possible."