Glasgow shop owner fears collapse after road closures extended
Vintage store owner Louise Lawn is afraid she'll have to close her doors after Scottish Water extended repair works until June.
A Glasgow shop owner fears her dream business will collapse because of ongoing Scottish water repairs.
High Street was expected to be closed between January and February.
However, complicated repair works between junctions with Rottenrow and Duke Street will now last until June.
Complete Loss
Louise Lawn opened vintage store Frida and Coco in 2019:
Louise says "I felt like I couldn't breath when I got the news.
"Eight weeks is one thing. Six months of lost revenue is a different story. That's the complete loss of your business.
"Me and my family rely on this business. In the summertime you hopefully get customers coming through on the way to the Cathedral and the Necropolis.
"The goal is to get to the summer, because we need those sales to make it through the winter.
'No Financial Support'
"I walked away from a solid career in teaching, were I was making nearly £50,000.
"I've invested huge amounts of money in this. So this news caused a lot of sadness and anxiety.
"I could lose anything between £4,000 and £8,000. I'm having so many no-sale days.
"There's so much noise and disruption from the construction work. I don't get customers coming past and seeing my display.
"People will drive past and maybe all four people in a car will stop, come in and buy something.
"It just seems to be that I'm expected to suck up this loss. I'm getting no compensation from Scottish Water.
Unforeseen Challenges
Georgina Reid, Scottish Water’s corporate affairs manager in the West, said: “The reality is that our main contractors have come across several challenges as these works have unfolded in High Street.
“There are issues which were completely unforeseen and could not have been established until we began digging.
"Uncharted services, remnants of old worksites that predate modern records and tricky ground conditions are all adding to complications.
"There is no way we can avoid the longer closure.
"However, we would like to reassure everyone that we will work to expedite the delivery of this project where possible with the aim of re-opening the road sooner if we can.
“We will continue to work with local residents and business owners to help minimise any disruption for the duration of these works.
"We thank everyone for their patience and understanding throughout.”
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