Business owners in The Grove, Christchurch, hit by roadworks

Traders along The Grove in Christchurch have reported daily trade losses of up to 80 per cent since SGN arrived on site last week.

As reported, road closures are in place between the Jumpers Corner roundabout and Oak Avenue as the utility firm upgrades the local gas network.

The work is expected to continue through to Monday 4 September, at which point engineers will have been on site for more than three weeks.

While the businesses along The Grove can still be accessed, traders feel poor signage has turned motorists away from the area, meaning their profits plunge. 

Roadworks taking place in The Grove (Image: NQ)

Tacim Gunduz, who co-owns the Premier Store in The Grove, said: “There should be signs telling people how they can still access The Grove.

“We have been down on trade by between 30 and 40 per cent a day. This week it has affected us lots because there has been no passing trade.

“I am worried about the next few weeks.”

Mandy Norris, who owns the café Cherries on The Grove, said more needs to be done to support businesses in the area. 

She said: “I am 80 per cent down on trade. How are small businesses in this current climate supposed to survive when they are losing 80 per cent of the trade for a minimum of three weeks?

“There is no support for businesses. Where’s the compensation?

“This could finish my café off. It would break my heart if I lose everything.”

Roadworks taking place in The Grove (Image: NQ)

Jenny Jackson, owner of Phil The Print in The Grove, agreed that her shop had taken a hit in recent days.

She said: “I’ve had a couple of customers who are less mobile who have said until the road is opening, they won’t be coming down because turning is difficult.

“A lot of my older customers get off at the bus stop here and come in, but because the buses aren’t coming down, they’re not coming in either.

“We’re lucky because we own this so we’ll push through it.”

Bradley Barlow, a spokesperson for SGN, said: "We’re working to complete our project in The Grove as quickly and safely as possible.

"We appreciate the inconvenience our work may cause to local businesses in the area. Temporary signs have been put in place to remind people that businesses remain open as usual.

"A customer care officer from our contractor JDT has also been in regular contact with local businesses about any issues they may have.

"We would encourage local businesses to discuss further concerns directly with JDT’s customer care officer."