Dock road closure is going to destroy us Liverpool businesses warn

May 1 2008 By Neil Hodgson

THE closure of a section of Liverpool’s dock road for a year could force businesses to close.

That is the fear of traders on Regent Road which faces being closed from Paisley Street to Blackstone Street from this Friday while the Stanley Dock metal bridge is repaired by owner Peel Holdings.

Mary McCann, owner of the River Diner, near the bridge, said: "This could put a lot of us out of business. I have only been going two years and have been awarded four stars by the council, but this could completely flummox me.

"I don’t know what to think. I have put everything I have into this and built it up and I’m just starting to see the rewards for all the hard work and then this happens."

Mrs McCann, who employs five staff, added: "Over the years you read about businesses closing because of the Big Dig, but 12 months seems a lot of time to repair a bridge and I need the passing trade. "If the business goes to the wall will we be compensated? No-one has been to see us about this. "This is all I have got for my pension and iIf it goes to the wall I have lost everything."

"We have got a good name so hopefully customers will still come from down the side streets."

Steve Budyn customer service representative at Thrifty Car Rental on Regent Road, said the diversions in place will cause chaos for their big car transporters which will have to find new routes and cause disruption to traffic on parallel Great Howard Street.

He said: "They will have to come in a different way which will put more pressure on Great Howard Street. We were based on Great Howard Street originally and the traffic was already horrendous."

John Harper, owner of the Bramley Moore pub near Blackstone Street, has contacted Peel who asked him to put any complaints in writing.

He said: "This will affect passing trade. All small businesses along here will suffer.

"We got one week’s notice and should have had more to prepare."

However, Bogans Carpets on Great Howard Street believe they could profit from the 12 month repairs.

Managing director Peter Burrows said: "It will probably generate more business for us and other established businesses with more traffic on Great Howard Street, but I am not sure the road could cope with it in rush hour."

The steel bridge is more than 70 years old and is due to close for up to a year to assess the work required and repairs.

A Peel Holdings spokesman said: "This is necessary work which cannot be carried out while the bridge remains in operation.

"We have taken all possible steps to minimise disruption and the traffic management plan involves a three-minute diversion. We will be making a report to the council as soon as possible."