BUSINESS owners at the Cornhill Indoor Market have raised their concerns about the impact of roadworks in Bridgwater, which they say has a negative impact on trade and footfall.

It’s a similar situation for traders elsewhere in the town, with a recent investigation by the Bridgwater Mercury uncovering how the roadworks associated with the Celebration Mile have negatively affected trade and footfall in the Eastover Shopping Centre.

Now, business owners at the Cornhill Indoor Market in Bridgwater react to the roadworks in the town. 

Adrian Fraser, who runs Cornhill Records, has seen a negative impact on trade. He said: “It’s as dead as a dodo. I’ve been here since 9am this morning and in four and a half hours, I’ve taken £14.”

“A lot of customers aren’t coming into the town; they’re going to other places such as Burnham-on-Sea or Taunton. We’ve seen a huge drop in footfall.”

Another trader at the Indoor Market also concerned is John Haughton, who runs Cornhill Watches. Speaking about the impact of the roadworks, he said: “It’s noticeably quieter in the town and even just moving around the time is hard.”

“All the roadworks are blocking routes through the town and traffic just snarls up. There’s nothing to attract people into the town,” John added.

John raised a particular question about the £9 million Celebration Mile, which will connect Bridgwater Railway Station with Northgate Docks with a new pedestrian and cycling route.

“Why do we need the Celebration Mile if there’s nothing to come into town for? There’s nothing to attract people into the town, just to wait in traffic and be unable to park.”

Lynette, who runs Unique Fashions in the Indoor Market, must leave half an hour earlier from her home in Bristol because of the roadworks at Dunball Roundabout.

Alongside her concerns, she and other traders are worried about the potential sale of the Cornhill building, which is one of several assets proposed for sale by Somerset Council.

Lynette commented: “We’ve heard nothing from Somerset Council. People heard about the potential sale on the news and think we’re not here anymore.”

 Somerset Council has been approached for comment.