Trade down because of roadworks

Shopkeepers in West Kirby say they're seeing less people coming through their doors.

United Utilities closed part of Banks Road earlier this week to repair a sewage pipe.

Ally McDermott who runs Your Choice Interiors has been telling Heart that traders there knew nothing about it until it happened: "we were surprised that they shut the road with no previous warning.

"Instead of a lot of the traders standing here not knowing what was going on, we might have been able to organise things a little better."

United Utilities have told Heart that they've done everything possible to keep locals up to date: "We understand that roadworks are never welcome news for local businesses, but we have done everything possible to keep traders informed.

“We hand-delivered letters to businesses at the start of August, and followed that up with a hand-delivered reminder letter a couple of days before the work began.

"This week, our engineers have also been actively going into local shops to advise traders of how the work is progressing.

“We are disappointed to hear that some traders feel they have been left out of the loop, as we did everything possible to give people fair notice.

"This is essential work to fix a collapsed sewer. Leaving a dangerous hole in the road is obviously not an option, so it has to be tackled.

"We are working hard to get the job done as quickly as possible, and expect it to take a couple of weeks.

“We’d invite any local businesses who have concerns or questions to get in touch with us. They can call us on 0845 746 2200.”