Popular eatery claims roadworks have led to 'almost zero footfall'

A young entrepreneur who opened her “busy and bustling” cafe last year says she has been forced to lose seven staff and temporarily close her business due to the ongoing roadworks in Rotherham town centre.

Kira Fowkes opened Sol Rotherham in November after choosing the building on Domine Lane because of its location and access.

By January this year she says the sugar-free, whole-food café had “queues out of the door”.

But the 24-year-old says she has gone from a “busy and bustling” popular eatery to footfall being “almost zero” due to the ongoing roadworks in the town centre.

After customers were unable to access the venue due to construction trucks and road closures, as well as suppliers being unable to load, and staff racking up parking tickets, she temporarily closed earlier this month and had to let her staff go.

But Kira, previously a pastry chef who studied catering at college, has now re-opened on her own with a limited menu and reduced opening hours as she is still paying rent on the premises.

As the Advertiser previously reported, a number of businesses have complained about the same issues affecting their own outlets, with parking tickets issued to staff and suppliers as well as many adopting reduced opening hours due to the lack of access and noise and dust from the ongoing roadworks.

Kira said: “Footfall through town has unfortunately dropped to almost zero, and with the ongoing roadworks and the amount of wagons and lorries directly outside our door, we also don’t feel we can guarantee the safest or easiest access for our customers at the moment.

“It’s been a difficult process watching our shop go from being full from 8–2, with queues out of our door, to where we are now.”

She told the Advertiser that before temporarily closing she had to let all seven staff go – including one girl who was “amazing” and enjoying her first ever job – and had tried to keep the business going on her own but customers were “ordering over the phone and then cancelling when they realised they would have to come into town and navigate the roadworks.”

“I opened one Saturday and had two customers the whole day because people couldn't get here,” she added.

The business was instead due to focus on its online offer during the temporary closure, where customers could order straight to their home.

But now Kira says she has to open the premises again as she cannot afford to leave them vacant.

She said: “From this week (Monday 21) I am opening Sol but it will be just me and I will be opening limited days Monday–Wednesday instead of Monday to Saturday and limited times - 9am-2pm instead of Sol's usual 8am-2pm.

"I've still got to pay the rent on the building even if it's sat empty. So I can't close even temporarily - I cannot afford to.

"But I also can't run a full menu or usual opening hours - the roadworks mean I can't have my usual deliveries and supplies dropped off because they can't access the building or, if they stop to do so, they will probably get a parking ticket.

"I have also got to reimburse a former member of staff as they were issued with four parking tickets while they were working here and the total is £385.

"They shouldn't be expected to pay those just for trying to come to work and trying to do their job!

"I am in a really awkward position where I have to open - I cannot afford to stay shut."

Andrew Bramidge, executive director for regeneration and environment in Rotherham Council said: "We know the challenges that prolonged activity can create for businesses, and we appreciate how frustrating and difficult this period has been for those directly affected.

“Throughout the delivery of the town centre public realm improvement programme, the council and its contractors have sought to provide updates on the progress of works and maintain access wherever possible.

“We met directly with Sol and its owner and we installed signage to advise that the business remained open as usual during the work.

“We will continue to work closely with businesses and stakeholders as the scheme progresses.

“It is important to note that while the council's contractor is delivering the public realm improvements in this part of the town centre, there are also two separate projects taking place in the immediate vicinity of Sol by private developers.

“As a result, businesses in this area are experiencing the cumulative impact of several projects rather than the effects of a single scheme.

“We fully acknowledge that this creates a difficult environment for traders and we are committed to doing everything within our control to minimise disruption from the council-led works.

“This includes ongoing dialogue with our contractor and maintaining access routes wherever possible.

“With regards to parking fines issued, if it’s believed that these were wrongly issued then we would be happy to review the evidence, but residents would expect us to take action against anyone parking illegally in the town centre.

“While utility diversions and other unforeseen issues have presented challenges during delivery, once complete, these improvements will create a more attractive, accessible and welcoming town centre environment that supports businesses, residents and visitors for years to come.”