Local business fears they will be 'forced to close' after Whitchurch canal breach
Lockside Café said they are lucky to see a handful of customers each day
A Whitchurch café has told us it may be 'forced to close' after the breach on the Llangollen canal.
Three weeks ago the canal bank collapsed in the Chemistry area.
Lockside Café sits along the canal near to where the breach happened. Owner, Chris Burtonwood said they rely on tourists and boaters for revenue:
"Just over 70% of our revenue will be impacted by the breach. Right now we are lucky if we get ten to fifteen people visiting within a day.
"When spring and summer arrive, it will be just as desolate," he said.
'Causing uncertainty'
Yesterday (13th Jan), engineers managed to refloat one of the boats that had been left stuck following the canal bank collapse.
The Canal and River Trust previously told us it could be August until repairs are completed.
Chris said: "It is causing uncertainty, we have been given indications it could take 9 months to a year to fix the damage. It could be even longer."
'Family run'
Chris told us Lockwood Café had been in the family for the last 25 years: "My mum bought the café and I took over about 5 years ago.
"The aim was to keep it a family run café for tourists and dog walkers.
"We are very genuinely concerned that the café will not be functional within the next 12 months," he said.