ILMINSTER NEWS: Traders counting the cost due to roadworks

THE Ilminster Chamber of Commerce has said that some businesses have reported a 30 per cent drop in trade due to roadworks in the town.

Station Road – a main route into the town – was closed for a number of weeks recently while essential drainage works were carried out. Thankfully those works finished on Friday (March 18, 2016) and the road re-opened.

But traders have been left counting the cost.

The Chamber of Commerce met earlier this month on March 9, 2016, where Phillip Wyatt, of Ilminstar Hardware, and Clinton Bonner, of Bonners Butchers, were elected president and secretary respectively.

A report of the Chamber meeting by Cllr Rob Drayton, who is Ilminster Town Council’s representative on the group, said: “Chamber members reported a fall in trade of around 30 per cent for some shops and businesses while the roadworks were taking place in Station Road.

“The Chamber said it was important they are given as early notice as possible when future roadworks are taking place to try and consult and mitigate for the disruption and damage caused.”

Both Ilminster Hardware and Bonners Butchers laid on special offers for shoppers for home deliveries during the Staiton Road works.

Cllr Drayton’s report will go before Ilminster Town Council at its meeting tonight (Tuesday, March 22, 2016).

A new set of roadworks have started this week further up Station Road by the Shrubbery Hotel.

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