Nailsworth business owner says prolonged road closure has damaged business
George Street was supposed to close for three nights but a broken gas main has left the street shut for nearly five weeks.
Last updated 13th May 2025
Business owners in Nailsworth say the prolonged closure of a street in the town is having a damaging impact on trade.
George Street was due to close overnight for three nights for resurfacing work in mid-April, however work was halted when a gas man was accidentally hit and the road has remained closed since.
One of the businesses affected by the closure is Waterloo House Cocktail and Wine Bar in George Street.
Its owner Christo Archer has had to let three members of staff go in the past three weeks because of reduced footfall, despite this time of year usually being one of the bar's busiest.
'Ghost town'
Mr Archer says the bar has lost around 60% of footfall, as well as losing business from neighbouring towns.
"We've lost a lot of trade from other towns because they see Nailsworth as an absolute hassle to get around."
He described the street as a "ghost town" and a place that local people want to avoid.
He says if this was happening in a city it would have been dealt with sooner.
Gloucestershire County Council has confirmed that they expect the works to end on Wednesday 14 May.
A council spokesperson said: “We carried out a site inspection today following the completion of the Wales & West works and can confirm the defective concrete has been now replaced. We are now able to carry out preparatory works this evening and resurfacing tomorrow night, with the aim of reopening the road on Wednesday morning.
“We would like to thank residents and traders again for their patience and understanding during these works.”
Wales & West Utilities are yet to comment.