End of an eyesore!
THE owner of a building in Caernarfon that has been covered in scaffolding for years sparking fury from locals, says the apparatus will be dismantled in the next three to five weeks.
Residents claim scaffolding has been outside the former Orchid store in Bridge Street for 15 years, forcing pedestrians to step off the narrow pavement and into the road to get passed.
Furthermore, it is one of the first things visitors to the town – especially bus passengers – see as they pass along the one-way system.
Now Johnny Chohan, who owns the building, says he is taking steps to have the scaffolding removed.
He told our sister paper the Daily Post: “The scaffolding is hopefully coming down. There is loose rendering and contractors have been appointed. As soon as they do that the scaffolding will come down I hope in the next 3-5 weeks.”
Mr Chohan said the apparatus was costing him £4,000 a year in public liability insurance because it straddles the pavement.
He added: “I am not enjoying it. I am a very proud Cofi myself and I want the scaffolding down.”
Residents say they have had enough of the “eyesore”.
Haydn Thomas owns Caffi Cei located on one side of the scaffolding while Ian Martin runs Bygones on the other side.
Both have threatened to withhold their rates, arguing the scaffolding affects trade by putting people off visiting the rest of the street.
Mr Thomas said: “Something must be done. The owner has been allowed to get away with it. Last week I saw boys climbing up it.
“It’s a nuisance for people with wheelchairs or buggies. What about health and safety?”
Mr Martin said: “We have contacted the council about it quite a number of times and now our AM, Siân Gwenllian, has taken up our complaint. It causes a bit of a blockage.”
Town Cllr Jason Parry, who has a barber shop nearby agreed.
He said: “It’s disappointing that the scaffolding is still up after at least 15 years. A lot of people have been fighting to improve the town but this is an eyesore.”
Elfyn Evans, from Groeslon, who is visually impaired and has a guide dog, said: “When I had a white stick, it was a nightmare and I kept banging into it.
“My daughter had to step into the road to avoid it the other day because she had a double-buggy with two children inside while she carried a third and held the fourth child’s hand. It is endangering lives.”
A Gwynedd Council spokesman said: “The council are liaising with the owner of 33 Bridge Street who is making a concerted effort to ensure that the building is safe and structurally sound in order that the scaffold may be removed in the near future.”