Nikki Leverington of Jodi Bridal with Ellie Frost, April Richards, Asha Jones and Layla Rogers of Therapy as work continues in Burgate, Canterbury. Picture: Chris Davey.

by Joe Walker

joewalker@thekmgroup.co.uk

Traders in a Canterbury street claim they have lost thousands of pounds because of “appalling” roadworks.

City centre businesses in Burgate say gasworks outside their shops have hit trade hard since workmen moved in six weeks ago.

Layla Rogers – owner of beauty salon Therapy – says she has had to cut her treatment list in half because of the works.

She said: “We’ve had to stop booking massages or anything relaxing because people were complaining about the noise.

“How can you lie back and relax when there’s a jackhammer going outside?

“The road looks like it’s just a mass of corrugated iron so people think it’s closed, meaning a massive drop in footfall.

“I understand the work needs to be done, but we’re losing out because of it. We just want people to know we’re still open for business.”

Helen Porter, manager of tattoo and beauty parlour Evolution Skin Studios, added: “The works are having a massive, massive impact on us.

“We’re just not getting the walk-ins we used to and have also had to stop doing massages and facials because of the noise. Working here has been awful since it all started.”

Nikki Leverington, of Bridal Gowns at Jodi, said the noise had disrupted fittings for brides-to-be.

She said: “We haven’t been able to give them the serene experience we usually would.

“We’ve also missed out on passing trade because it’s a complete eyesore outside.”

The shops have been told they can claim compensation from Southern Gas Networks for loss of trade, but say the process is a minefield.

Layla, 31, said: “My accountant looked at it and said they’ve made it near impossible to claim. They’re asking for four years of audited accounts which a small business like ours just doesn’t have. It’s the same for others in the street.

“It would have been nice if they’d come to us before the works started and said 'look, we understand your business will be affected. Here’s £500 or £1,000’.”

Southern Gas Network spokesman Samantha O’Connor said: “We have an agreement with our regulator Ofgem to replace all iron pipes that are within 30 metres of a property within 30 years.

"We are committed to working closely with the police and the local authorities to plan our work so that it causes minimum disruption. In regards to compensation, the standards and compensation procedure are set by the industry regulator Ofgem.”