‘Bollards make trading tougher’
Shops feel impact of losing high street parking spaces
Traders along Moorland Road have said pavement-widening bollards have been “a bit of a nightmare” for their businesses.
Bollards have been put in place all over Bath and down the key high street by the council to help maintain social-distancing measures.
Originally the bollards were down both sides of the one-way street but after complaints and action from councillors they were reduced to one side of the street.
Traders have now said they face a “worsening” situation because of the bollards as more shops start to re-open.
Some have questioned if they were necessary now coronavirus lockdown guidance says one-metre social distancing is acceptable.
The council has said previously they understand the inconvenience caused by the measures but they needed to act quickly to protect the public’s health.
Tony and Kay Duce, who run Park Pets said they think the bollards are having a negative impact on trade because of the lack of parking spaces.
Mr Duce, 65, said: “In truth, we face a worsening situation and it’s actually getting tougher as time goes on.
“At first, it wasn’t so bad but as more things open up the lack of car-parking spaces is having an effect, people can’t buy as much and if there isn’t a car-parking space they drive on and shop somewhere else.
“The distancing is now down to one metre, so I’m not sure the bollards are needed.
“We get calls from people saying they are driving round and round looking for a space but can’t find one - it is heartbreaking.”
The couple, who have been running the pet shop on Moorland Road since 1994, said they have managed to keep going through lockdown because of home deliveries but that parking spaces for customers was really important to business.
Mr Duce added: “All we can do is keep going and we do have an incredible community spirit on this road.”
He also added that there was concern locally that the measures may be made permanent and the street pedestrianised.
Yet independent Bath and North East Somerset councillor for Westmoreland, Colin Blackburn, dismissed this as only rumours.
He said: “There have been some rumours and a feeling of nervousness that the road would be pedestrianised but this is only a rumour and there aren’t any facts to support this.”
Mr Blackburn added that he thought the Moorland Road traders were remaining positive about the measures.
He said: “I think it helps there was a level of engagement and they were altered slightly to only be on one side of the road.
“The disabled parking bay and the loading bay are working well and I guess it helps there aren’t as many student cars around.”
Mr Blackburn added that there have been some “bright spots” which have kept people positive throughout the pandemic including a level of trade that hasn’t gone completely.
He added that there were some “incredible” traders on Moorland road who had taken a resilient attitude to the challenges presented by the pandemic.
Luke Charity, who works in Francis DIY and Hardware said he thinks the bollards have been a bit of a “nightmare” but that they cannot do anything but keep going.
He said: “The bollards have been a bit of a nightmare but trade has been good and we’ve had people queuing outside.”
Mr Charity added that the bollards are having an impact on the early morning run of traders who would usually visit the shop.
He added that having no parking spaces makes shopping difficult for some but there was no option but to remain resilient.
Sarajane Bishop who helps run This ‘n’ That, the gift shop on Moorland Road, said they were “holding on by the skin of their teeth” adding that the bollards hadn’t been a huge problem just “a pain”.
She said: “We’re doing okay, obviously we’d like to take more if we can but we can only have four in the shop at the moment.
“Obviously the bollards are a bit of a pain but there isn’t anything to do but get on with it.
“It will be good to get the parking back, though.”
Zoe Buxton who works at Stokes, the green grocers, said that she wasn’t sure if the bollards were necessary anymore.
She said: “Since the bollards business has quieted down. But now that the social distancing measures have gone down to one metre what is the point in having them. Its obviously a good thing to have people socially distanced but if it has gone down to one metre are they necessary?”
Ms Buxton continued: “We have older customers who can’t get to us and then ones who can’t buy nearly as much because they can’t carry it.
“We could be quieter because people have gone back to work, I’m not sure, but Moorland Road has got the spirit to keep going.”
June Player, the other independent councillor representing the ward, said: “Social distancing measures are good but they have to be done in a way that doesn’t impact trade. We got the bollards down one side of the road as a compromise, it was then a 50/50 thing.”
No date has yet been given by Bath and North East Somerset Council for when the bollards may be removed. The council has said previously that it does recognise the bollards may inconvenience traders and wrote to more than 1,000 people to warn them, explaining it had to act quickly to protect the public’s health.
Previously the council asked anyone with views on the measures to get in touch with by emailing Traffic_managementteam@bathnes.gov.uk. The council have been asked if there is any further update on the social distancing measures.
❝ In truth, we face a worsening situation and it’s actually getting tougher as time goes on
Tony Duce