Chester traders suffer due to ‘mistimed’ gas works

Nov 11 2010 by David Holmes, Chester Chronicle

Chester traders suffer due to ‘mistimed’ gas works

GAS works are continuing to hit city centre retailers in the pocket on the day Chester launches its Christmas Winter Wonderland campaign.

Christine Bewley, manager of ladies’ clothing store Chesca, says work to replace aging pipes at The Cross has decimated passing trade.

Her comments follow similar concerns raised by Coral’s bookmakers in Watergate Street and The Pound Bakery in Bridge Street.

Mrs Bewley said: “They are right outside my shop. We are not getting any visitors, especially when the van is parked in front of us.”

She said this was in addition to fumes and noise emanating from the site which is due to remain until the end of November.

“The noise is horrific. People who do come into the shop leave because of the noise,” added Mrs Bewley, who can’t understand why the work couldn’t take place after the busy Christmas trading period.

“It could have been left until the end of January, the quiet period,” added Mrs Bewley, who has been told the workmen will return following the festive season due to unforeseen problems.

She blames the council for allowing the work to take place now and says it is no wonder Chester is slipping down the list as a retail centre. The North West Gas Alliance says all city centre excavations, including at The Cross, will be back-filled and fencing removed by November 29, in time for Christmas.

If Watergate Street is not fully completed then work will recommence on January 12. It is claimed Bridge Street will be finished by next Monday at the latest.