Roadworks shaker forced me to close

Too close for comfort... during part of the work the fences were just inches from the shop's entrance

A YOUNG entrepreneur says he has been forced to shut up shop for good after roadworks brought trade to a halt.

Owen McEwan launched his own unique business selling sweets and milkshakes on Oldham Road, Failsworth, in April, 2014, after being made redundant while completing an apprenticeship.

With help from a Rockstar Youth start-up loan, a government initiative supporting 18 to 30-year-olds, Sweets ’n’ Shakes began to take off with many happy customers.

Owen (26) said: “The business was doing really well. In our first year we hit the targets I’d set out in my business plan and the outlook was positive.”

However, he noticed trade rapidly decrease as work to amend the A62 Oldham Road layout led to roadworks outside his shop.

Owen added: “The changes introduced added islands in the road outside the shop.

Devastated

“There is no parking available nearby anymore and it’s decimated my trade.”

He added that he was not told before the work began but contacted the council repeatedly to highlight the impact it was having and requested that short-stay car parking spaces or lay-bys were introduced.

Owen, a former Failsworth School pupil, said: “I sent numerous emails and made phone calls to the council about the issue but never received a response.

“There were fences coming right up to the shop entrance. Customers found it extremely difficult to get into the store. I’ve seen ambulances and emergency services struggling due to the new central islands making it impossible to pass queuing traffic.”

Trade has suffered so significantly that he has now made the decision to close the business for good.

He said: “I’m devastated. When you start a business you know it will be tough but you don’t expect to have to close within two years.

“I’m frustrated with Oldham Council — they are supposed to be helping young businesses and supporting people but I’ve experienced the opposite.

“It’s not a great example for anyone looking to start a business in Oldham.”

He added that Oldham Council had offered him the chance to apply for a £3,000 Business Improvement Grant to improve the windows and doors at the property, however he was unable to secure the necessary backing and match-funding from his landlord to be successful.

Owen will now have to take on alternative employment and move back in with his parents.

Councillor Dave Hibbert, Oldham Council’s Cabinet member for housing, planning and transport, said: “I am sorry to hear that this trader has decided to close.

“We never want to see businesses leave the borough. We do our utmost to bring in new traders and keep existing ones.

“There have been some big changes around the A62 over the last couple of years with around £1 million invested in improvements to roads and the local environment.

“It is a vital corridor from Manchester to Oldham and has benefited from much-needed improvement works to smooth traffic flow and smarten up the look and feel of the route.

Impact

“We also have a £100,000 Business Improvement Grants package available to traders in the area with many already taking advantage of that investment pot.”

He added that during the roadworks the council continuously worked closely with traders to minimise the impact as well as providing clear signage and publicity to ensure people knew that businesses remained open.

Councillor Hibbert added: “I must stress that before the works took place there were issues of illegal and dangerous parking along the road.

“While we’re sorry to hear about his concerns, we’re confident that the revamped road will support local shops.

“We’ve had plenty of positive feedback to support this view.”