Traders in a city centre street that has been closed to pedestrians and traffic since December have seen their takings fall by more than half.
Businesses in Port Street have been hit in the pocket after Stirling Council were forced to set up a ‘safety exclusion zone’ on the pavement and part of the road in Port Street due to concerns about the structure of a building there.
The section of pavement outside the Let’s Party store, at 75 Port Street, has been out of bounds to the public since December 20 due to the risk of falling masonry from a property above the shop.
Council building standards officers then discovered a structural defect at the property.
The road was shut in one direction, meaning vehicles travelling from Dumbarton Road and Upper Craigs are unable to turn on to Port Street.
Businesses in the street have been hit hard by the closure.
The Let’s Party shop has seen a large drop in income. Boss Margaret Ann Smart noted that business had been “really poor” over Christmas and New Year.
The shop front is blocked off by the cordon, however it remains open for business via a rear entrance. Staff have been forced to put up a large sign to let customers know they are still trading but they fear assume they are closed.
Nadeem Abbas of newsagent Port Street News says that his takings have dropped by more than 60 per cent and that his newspaper sales have almost halved.
The newsagent said: “My regular customers just aren’t coming.
“It’s hard for older people or people with prams to go around the fencing to get to the shop so they’re just not coming now.”
The PDSA charity shop have also seen a large drop in takings as well as the amount of donations coming in.
Assistant manager Shirley Thomson said: “We’re missing out big time on passing trade. Business over Christmas fell off a cliff and donations were a bit down as well.
“People are looking over, thinking we’re closed and probably taking their items to another shop.”
She also noted that there is a need for better signage letting shoppers know that they remain open.
Baynes the Family Bakers has also seen a drop-off in trade, with an estimated 50 per cent decrease.
The Property Prep store has been closed, with signage put in the window reading ‘Closed during building repairs. See full range at Belgica Bo’ness’.
All other premises surrounding the fencing remain open for business despite the footpath and partial road closure.
