Businesses fear for survival during ‘nightmare’ roadworks

By Charlotte Lillywhite, Local Democracy Reporter

Businesses fear they won’t survive ‘nightmare’ works to permanently pedestrianise their street. 

Wandsworth council is replacing pavements, road and planters to make the pedestrianisation of Old York Road permanent, after it was introduced as a trial during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. 

But business owners said the works have put people off visiting the street, left staff in tears and led to a drop in sales.

The construction work started on September 30, and is moving east along the road towards its junction with Ferrier Street. It is expected to last until autumn next year.

Labour councillor Jenny Yates, Cabinet Member for Transport, said the works would make the street more attractive to visitors once completed. She said the council had worked hard to minimise disruption to businesses, including by keeping as much of the pavements open as possible, handing out leaflets and carrying out in-person visits.

But business owners said there has been a lack of communication from the council about the works.

Emma Thomas, 33, who owns Bramble & Willow florist at the top of Old York Road, said: “The noise in itself has just been unbelievable.

“Clients come in and hold their ears, so of course poor staff working there have been really struggling.”

Ms Thomas said she is “haemorrhaging money” as weeks of narrowed pavements, loud drilling and construction “mess” outside her flower shop has led to a drop in sales. 

This compounds the difficulties independent businesses like hers are already facing, she said, particularly as she relies on walk-ins. 

Documents show the shop’s takings in October were nearly half that of the previous year.

Ms Thomas said: “Everyone knows the high streets are struggling, and to implement something like this and not have considered or planned to assist businesses is bonkers.

“It’s the lack of empathy when it’s literally your livelihood at stake.”

Businesses further up the street said they are also worried for the future as the construction work progresses. Cafés and restaurants including Little Frenchies will have their outdoor seating temporarily removed when these parts of the street are resurfaced.

Hannah Fairgrieve, 38, who owns Little Frenchies, said: “You have to also be wise financially, like ‘do I need two staff in, do I need one staff’? 

“Tell us how long it is going to go on for so maybe we close the kitchen three days a week.”

Naomi Ellis, 48, who owns Anthology, also feels the council has not shown consideration for the impact on businesses. 

She said: “Nobody has come to see me. 

“It’s really tough trading at the moment, really tough, and it’s on the back of recession, pandemic… we’ve gone into this beaten down.”

“I do wonder which one of us will survive.”

Councillor Yates said Old York Road is “a vital part of Wandsworth’s community” and its commercial vitality.

She said: “During the pandemic, the council closed this road to through traffic to create a unique shopping and leisure space. This trial proved popular with businesses and residents, so the next stage of works is to make the scheme permanent and protect the future of the road, helping to attract more visitors.

“We’ve worked hard to minimise disruption to businesses while the works are ongoing. This reconstruction project represents a significant investment in Wandsworth’s infrastructure.”

Pictured top: Road closures in Old York road (Picture: LDRS)