Abergavenny traders have called on Monmouthshire County Council to extend a helping hand as major works along a busy high street have seen their trade plummet. ??Independent business owners along Frogmore Street said their takings have been hammered affected as workers get to work on the long-planned pedestrianisation of the street, in which teams of workers are ripping up and repaving the road.

The work, part of a £700,000 remake of the street, will continue until the end of July — a time the traders said is their busiest. ??

Annette Melmoth, whose daughter Ria runs popular gift shop ‘Mockingbird’, said takings were down 80 per cent last week, as the shopfront is hemmed in by fencing, and visually off-limits to lifeblood walk-in trade. ??

“This is really affecting our sales,” said Mrs Melmoth, who is covering for her daughter during her maternity period.

“We’ve got this until the end of July. It will be great when it’s finished and pedestrianised we know that but, it is how this is affecting us now, which is a huge worry.”

“It has hit us desperately. It is dire. She is paying all this money for a high street shop. It would obviously be much cheaper elsewhere — the high street is closed. It is a nightmare.”

The work comes at a make-or-break time for independent traders, as the summer approaches, drawing tourists and visitors to the town. ??“This is the beginning of our high season, “ continued Mrs Melmoth.

“We rely on the visitors that come to Abergavenny. They’re just not coming down.”

Mrs Melmoth said that a few of the local traders had considered requesting a business rates rebate from Monmouthshire County Council, an idea echoed by others along the affected street. ?

?“The council have said rate rebates are ‘discretionary’ and are not given ‘for short-term projects. This is sixteen weeks. Is this really a ‘short-term’ project?

“We are positive about the pedestrianisation. It certainly will be good when it is complete, but, what it is doing to us now is the problem.

“There’s no real signage directing people down here. What we want is a rate rebate. ??“These shops are independent and very important to Abergavenny. We need a little hand to get through this.”

All the traders who spoke to the Chronicle were keen to express their support for the pedestrianisation — underlining its benefits — but said the council must do more to help traders through a difficult spot, which clashes with their busiest period.??

Janet Howells, who runs Victorian Tea Rooms, said a harsh winter had already hammered trade over the Easter period. ??

“I think it’s diabolical. We’ve had to deal with a number of different problems recently - the Heads of the Valleys development has been a big blow to Abergavenny traders; we’ve had to deal with Morrisons — which has ripped the guts out of our all our small traders.

“We are dealing with those, plus, we’ve had a bad winter, which can’t be helped, but that was a big blow,” she said. ??“Now, the council does this — at our peak times. This is a time when we small traders look forward to getting tourists. We need tourists! We rely on the walkers, and cyclists and visitors.

?“We can’t survive sixteen weeks of this. Yet, the council will still want their money. I’m proud to have a business that supports local people and gives them jobs. What is the council doing to support us? Nothing at all! They should give us a rebate.” ??

The project was green-lit by council engineers back in December with plans to re-pave and resurface Abergavenny’s town centre from Market Street junction with Lion Street, to run through to Lion Street and Frogmore Street, as far as White Horse Lane.

The works, which are set to cost some £700,000, will include the entrance to the new Morrison’s store, having been partly funded by the sale of the old cattle market site on which the supermarket was recently opened. ??

Lucy Hywel, owner of That’s Lovely, That, and a representative of Y-Fenni Business Community, said, “The timing of this could be better. It is a good thing, but, it has come at the wrong time. Communication between the council, contractors, and local traders is paramount. ??“We all understand that there will be an inconvenience but it will be worth it. As much information as we can get will help us to be pro-active. We have met with the appointed civil engineers Griffiths’ liaison officer, who are working with us to help with increased signage and to assist retailers with deliveries during the course of the works.

Another trader along Frogmore Street, echoed the sentiment of those mentioned. Jackie Godfrey, who runs Field Day Flowers, said footfall had declined dramatically since work began a fortnight ago. ?

?“I’m certainly in favour of the work. I have to get that across. I think, to be honest, most of the traders around here understand the pedestrianisation will be a very good thing for us and the town. ??

“We are all grown-ups, and we totally understand what needs to be done. It will be a great thing when it is completed. ??“Hopefully, it will become a hotspot, but, right now, we don’t have the support to weather the storm. Perhaps the council could help us out with some signs. What ever the council can do to help us would be most welcome.”

Roger Hoggins, Head of Operations said, “Monmouthshire County Council has worked hard to ensure that Abergavenny’s pedestrianisation scheme is a success. We have consulted widely including regularly meeting with the Abergavenny Town Team where councillors, business owners and members of the public have been welcome to attend.

“We also arranged a consultation period from January 31 to February 16 in the Town Hall with proposed design drawings for people to comment upon.

“These drawings are still displayed in the Town Hall and are updated if changes occur.

“This consultation period was also highlighted in a council press release and published on our website.

“A letter drop has been carried out to businesses affected by the works and we have provided drawings with the timings of our works.

“In addition, a liaison officer has visited businesses individually to help answer any questions or concerns.

“We have set up a Facebook page with regular updates on a weekly basis and we have offered to help businesses with difficult deliveries during the construction work.

“Pedestrian access has always been maintained to all businesses during the works and fencing and sound-proofing is provided in front of the shops to reduce the noise and for the safety of passing pedestrians. The works are completed in maximum lengths of 50m to reduce the likelihood of pedestrians avoiding businesses.

“While some business owners have mentioned the impact of the works verbally to engineers, we are unaware of any official complaints.

“We recognise that the works inevitably affect businesses and we are working to minimise disruption while proceeding with the project.

“In the long run we believe the new public space will improve the retail offer in Abergavenny.”