Councillor calls on mayor to fund 'adverts & vouchers' to help Crystal Peaks traders amid Supertram sinkhole
“If these traders continue to suffer in the run up to Christmas some of them will struggle to get through the quiet period afterwards”
“Urgent steps” are needed to help Crystal Peaks traders through Christmas while a vital Sheffield tram route is shut, a councillor has told the mayor.
Shopkeepers at Crystal Peaks say footfall dropped dramatically after the discovery of an old shaft under tram tracks two months ago, on August 23.
Eleven tram stops between Gleadless Townend and Halfway, the end of the Blue line, are closed pending repairs to the sinkhole, and a bus replacement service has proved unpopular.
Now, ward councillor for Beighton Ward, Ian Horner [Lib Dem.] has written to Mayor for South Yorkshire Oliver Coppard calling for “urgent steps” if traders are to survive the Christmas period.
In a letter he shared with The Star, Councillor Horner is asking for funds to be diverted for extra advertising and even vouchers to draw shoppers to the east-Sheffield shopping hub.
“As you may well have seen in the coverage in the media, traders in the South East have been badly affected by the suspension of the Tram service between Gleadless Town End and Halfway,” wrote Councillor Horner, in a letter shared with The Star.
“This is especially true for the Crystal Peaks shopping centre which includes a Council operated market.
“We are now in the run up to Christmas. A vital trading time for retailers.
“I urge you to provide support for these retailers. For example, how about paying for vouchers for shopping at Crystal Peaks?
“What about paying for more advertising?
“If these traders continue to suffer in the run up to Christmas some of them will struggle to get through the quiet period after Christmas.
“So, I am asking you to take urgent steps to help businesses who have been badly affected by the tram suspension.”
It comes after local councillors said Crystal Peaks manager Lee Greenwood had complained that some traders were struggling and feared for the future.
Earlier this week, a South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority spokesperson responded to concerns raised in The Star by traders and councillors: "We're very sorry for the continued disruption to passenger journeys on the Blue route. Engineers are investigating the ground conditions at Birley so we can deliver a safe, long-term repair.
“We appreciate the patience of residents, businesses and passengers while this complex work continues, and we'll keep people updated on our progress as soon as possible.
“Replacement bus services remain in operation between Gleadless Townend and Halfway, with Supertram tickets accepted.”