BRIDGE WATCH DAY 5: Takings in old village down up to 50 per cent
A landlord whose family owns 26 properties in Corby Old Village says that firms have lost up to 50 per cent of their turnover since the Cottingham Road bridge closed in January.
The bridge - part of a main thoroughfare into the village - was shut in January to allow it to be made higher for the upgrade of the Midland Mainline.
It was due to reopen in August.
But the work has been beset by delays, causing some businesses in the Old Village to fear for their future.
Simon Green, whose family owns the Village Inn as well as more than two dozen commercial premises in the area, revealed that some firms have already left the village since the work started and appealed for Network Rail bosses to ensure they finish the project on time.
He said: “My family owns 26 tenanted units in the old village.
“The majority of them are commercial tenants,
“Many are showing at least 40 per cent downturn in trade - some, 50 per cent.
“We’ve had one that’s gone out of business, two that have moved out of the village - Tingdene and UKIP.
“The Malt & Bass sold up to new owners. These are businesses that would never have disappeared if it weren’t for the bridge works.
“I’ve been assured that work on the bridge will be finished on the 16th and then Northamptonshire County Council will finish their work on the 19th.
“I think the village wlil recover long term but at the moment it’s tough.”
The Northants Telegraph is running a Bridge Watch campaign to keep an eye on the work and to make sure that the bridge reopens on time in order for traders to make the most of the vital Christmas upturn.
Please contact us at [email protected] or 01536 506158 if you’ve been affected by the closure.