Small business owners have already seen a concerning drop-off in trade after a road in a north Norfolk town was closed due to a 15ft-deep sinkhole.
Garden Street, in Cromer, was closed by police last Friday (October 3) after the appearance of a one-metre-wide sinkhole.
READ MORE: Garden Street in Cromer still closed after sinkhole appears
After a poor weekend of trade for the street’s independent businesses, it now looks set to get even worse after Anglian Water announced today that the road will remain closed for repairs for at least a week.
Teresa Elmassry, owner of Harald’s Fine Chocolates, in Garden Street, said trade was down for her chocolate shop over the weekend.
“Business has been terrible for the last couple of days,” she said.
“It’s a real shame. We need people to know that the road is still open to pedestrians and that businesses are open as usual.”
Shelly Dewing, owner of Inspiration, said the gift shop had “better takings during Storm Cairan last week than over the weekend”.
“When I came to work on Friday morning cars were still parked on the side of the road and there were just two cones around the sinkhole,” she said.
“I walked over to the Co-Op to pick up a newspaper and when I walked back the police had cordoned off the road.
“It’s unfortunate but we’ll just have to manage until it’s repaired. I would rather have them close the road for a week to repair it and complete the work as I don’t think it’s safe to drive down the road with that big hole in it.”
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A member of staff at coffee and ice cram shop Harris and James said fewer people are parking in the car park on Garden Street which has meant less footfall.
“Business has already been affected,” she said.
“I haven’t noticed as many people walking in. People seem to be avoiding Garden Street because they know the road is shut.
“There’s not as many people walking up and down as usual.”
