Family-run Sheffield business warns loss of parking bays could force it to close after 61 years

Williamson Hardware, based on Fulwood Road at the Broomhill shopping precinct, said the closure of parking bays directly outside their store has left them around 15 per cent down on trade and in a “very bad” position.

The shop, which employs seven people, launched a petition calling for the removal of the parking restrictions, which has been signed by 502 people as of Monday, August 24.

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Staff member Mark Williamson said: “Just watching it happen is quite upsetting, watching something bad take place. I can’t see how there’s going to be any positive benefits for us.

"I’m very upset and concerned it’s going to kill the area. Everyone's going to suffer in different ways; if you have a trolley full of stuff from Morrisons you don’t want to be carting it upstairs. If you nip for a coffee you had the 20-minute parking which was great, those kind of customers aren’t going to search for a space round the back.”

Work has begun to widen the footpath outside the shopping precinct to ‘create space for social distancing and opportunities for active travel’, Sheffield City Council said. The changes are likely to remain in place until a time when social distancing is no longer required – but could become permanent.

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Mark said the shop has received no communication from the Council about the new measures. They have written to Olivia Blake, MP for Sheffield Hallam, to voice their concerns.

He added: “Communication has been poor throughout, they have snuck this in without any consultation and not gave us much time to do anything about it. It’s all been very disappointing and you are made to feel your opinion doesn’t matter.

"Staff members at other shops are upset and concerned. The only other independent on our road is Balti King and he’s very concerned, he’s had disabled customers cancel.”

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Councillor Bob Johnson, cabinet member for transport and sustainability, said active travel schemes were brought in as an emergency response to Covid-19, meaning the Council was unable to carry out a usual consultation process.

Mark said: “I would say we’re about 10 per cent down, probably 15 per cent is more realistic.

"It’s very bad. Things have been so hard these last few years. I can’t stomach the kind of costs we expect to incur. We’ve got our lease renewal coming up and it really puts that in doubt.”

He added: "It’s a massive concern, I can’t make it any more stark than that. It throws the future of our business up in the air.

"It’s nice to know we’ve got a good customer base and they have all been on our side. We haven’t had anyone suggest to us it’s a good idea so God knows why the Council do.”

Councillor Angela Argenzio, who represents Broomhill and Sharrowvale, said: “Although these changes may take a while to get used to, they are in place to benefit everyone and minimise the risk of Covid-19.”

The Star has contacted Olivia Blake for comment.

You can view and sign the petition here.