Sales at Southsea c-store hit after street closure to cars

Independent traders in Portsmouth have welcomed the closure of their street to cars with the move creating a ‘special’ atmosphere.

However, one shop owner has concerns he maybe ‘forced to close’ if it continues.

A section of Castle Road, in Southsea, was temporarily closed off to cars at the beginning of September using bollards and road signs to allow for social distancing.

The owner of the Castle Convenience Store said sales dropped by 38 per cent since a section of the road was shut to cars on September 9.

Mehul Shukla, 33, said: “I could have to close in a couple of months time because the business is down by 38 per cent since the first of September.

“The council didn’t make any parking facilities anywhere. We are not getting supplies through because there’s no access. And I have lost a contract with Hermes.

“They need to provide time for the deliveries to come though. They have shut this road for social distancing but this road is quite quiet anyway – there was no need to close it in the first place.”

Cllr Lynne Stagg, the council’s traffic and transport boss, said: “We have created a number of temporary changes across the city to deliver safe space for walking and cycling during the pandemic.

“This includes the closing Castle Road to vehicles on September 9, 2020. This has created a pleasant space for cafes to use the road whilst also creating a safe space for walkers and cyclists.

“These changes have been put in quickly and we are listening to people’s feedback to make sure they work well for businesses, residents and users of the route.

“On Castle Road we were told by a business that it would help if deliveries could be made earlier and we are amending the order to enable this.

“A full public consultation would be held before a decision is made as to whether to make changes permanent.”

The closure came as part of several changes to roads in the city under the emergency active travel scheme that looked to boost cycling and walking during the pandemic.