Dealers estimate that since the National Grid started mains replacement work in February some local businesses have seen profits fall by as much as 60%.
“We have all had clients calling saying that they can’t get here, have been stuck in traffic for over an hour with taxis refusing to go all the way around. It is endless,” King’s Road dealer Julie Boston told ATG.
The key challenge for businesses has been the implementation of a one-way eastbound system between Stanley Bridge and Gunter Grove.
“From the day the road went one-way business just stopped,” Boston added.
Abigale Upham from Upham Antiques described the effect of the works as “devastating” and said that difficulty receiving deliveries compounded their problem with getting clients through the door.
“Obviously for all the businesses around here it’s had a serious effect. Our footfall has fallen from around 10 or so visitors every day to almost nothing,” Upham said.
“The road works are directly outside our office so we can see firsthand the disastrous effect that it has had on these local businesses,” said Rebecca Davies, chief executive of the trade association LAPADA.
Compensation
Now, however, Boston has become the leader for a number of small businesses including dealers hiring a barrister to represent them in a quest to claim compensation from National Grid.
Anthony Redmile, Charles Edwards Antiques, Gutlin Clocks, John Bly Antiques and Hatchwell Antiques are among the 39 businesses included in the group.
National Grid has a compensation scheme in place for loss of trade that small businesses might suffer during works.
“Ahead of the start of work, we went to great lengths to engage with the local community and businesses about this essential work,” National Grid told ATG in a statement. “National Grid offers a small business compensation scheme for businesses who have experienced a genuine loss of trade due to our work.”
However, dealers contest that this was never broadcast widely enough. In addition, the process of claiming compensation is abstruse and involves enough additional accounting work to require outside or additional staffing.
“We as businesses feel that the National Grid who are doing the work never made clear the impact that this would have on us or that any compensation was available,” said Boston, who adds that it was only through word of mouth that many were made aware of the compensation scheme.
National Grid has advised that any concerned local businesses can contact their community relations team on 0800 389 8261 or nationalgrid@londongasmains.co.uk. Alternatively the project helpline can be reached at 0845 757 3202 or at csbusinessclaims@nationalgrid.com
