Another ‘nail in the coffin’ for Belvoir Street as road shuts

Leicester businesses in Belvoir Street fear a new seven-month closure will be "just another nail in the coffin". The busy, city centre street[1] has already been hit by a number of closures in recent years with many still feeling the impact of the coronavirus pandemic[2].

Now Leicester City Council[3] has closed the road so it can be resurfaced in a £300,000 scheme aiming to improve the area. But it means cafes and eateries will have to suspend on-street café licenses during the usually, busier summer months.

Despite remaining open for pedestrian access, some business owners also fear the closure will steer people away. It has only been six years since the street's last big revamp - resulting in the current surface installed - which is now set to be replaced.

Daksha Saujani, 60, who has run Viva El Burrito, close to the Bowling Green Street junction, said her business was hit by the first revamp closures after around a year of being open, six years ago. She said: "We were impacted then and we will be now because I can't put my tables outside. I don't know why they're doing it again."

She added there was a lack of support for local businesses that might be affected. The council said it had no powers under the Highways Act to give compensation for disruption caused by roadworks but added, in some circumstances, businesses may be entitled to a temporary reduction in business rates due.

It may also be able to reduce business rates bills by allowing temporary hardship relief. However, a number of businesses, including Viva El Burrito, fall under the business rates threshold due to their size.

Daksha Saujani says her business already suffered from the impact of the first revamp closure six years ago, before Covid-19 and the impact of the cost of living crisis. Daksha Saujani says her business already suffered from the impact of the first revamp closure six years ago, before Covid-19 and the impact of the cost of living crisis.

Cafe and eatery, Waffle & Scoop, is another small business in Belvoir Street[5]. The manager, who did not want to be named, told LeicestershireLive it was "just another nail in the coffin" for local businesses after the impact coronavirus pandemic and the ongoing cost of living crisis.

She said: "Places like ours rely on the footfall from people walking by on Granby Street. Without being able to put our chairs and tables outside people won't know that there's somewhere to go eat down here when they're walking by.

The manager accepted that the ongoing revamp might make the street better for the city centre[6] in the long run but felt existing businesses would be "paying the price". "The closure and the barriers make it look like a no-go area," she said.

While Opticians is one of the longest-running businesses in Belvoir Street and has so far survived the various challenges facing the city centre in recent years - including the knock-on effect of surrounding businesses closing their doors. Its elderly customers often rely on being dropped off at the door but will not be able to due to the current closure.

Optometrist, Swati Modi, 53, said: "It will have a massive impact, especially for the businesses around us. It's usually a real continental feel over summer with the tables outside but we won't have that."

Waffle & Scoop in Belvoir Street is now one of several businesses that will not be able to make use of its street cafe licence. Waffle & Scoop in Belvoir Street is now one of several businesses that will not be able to make use of its street cafe licence.

"After Covid-19 and the first time they did the pavement six years ago, I can't believe they're going to shut it down again," she added. Independent Italian restaurant Maurizio's[7] has been open for a little more than a year and has so far been successful in building a steady flow of customers. But the length of time of the revamp closure has caused some concern.

Petrisor Varvara, 23, who works at the restaurant, said: "At the moment we're not really sure how it will affect our business. Maurizio is not that worried at the moment but he said it was unrealistic to close a small street like this for seven months." He added that not being able to put chairs and tables outside in the summer would be an "inconvenience."

A spokesperson for the city council[8] said: "This is an important highway maintenance scheme which will help improve this busy shopping street. Experience gained from other improvement schemes in the city centre has shown that new block paving is better suited to areas with high pedestrian activity.

"This will enhance the appearance of the street and provide a much more durable surface than the current surface which has suffered badly due to essential utility works, high usage and damage caused by deliveries to bars and restaurants. The scheme will be paid for through council capital set aside for major highways maintenance and improvements.

Maurizio, who runs the popular namesake restaurant felt the seven-month closure period was too long for such a small street. Maurizio, who runs the popular namesake restaurant felt the seven-month closure period was too long for such a small street.

"The scheme is carried out in phases to try to minimise disruption to businesses, for example works outside doorways is carried out when businesses are closed. It is important that we continue to invest in improving our city centre streets and spaces to help attract new businesses and more investment into the city.

"On-street café licenses will need to be suspended during the works to maintain pedestrian access and keep the street open for business. The council has no powers under the Highways Act to give compensation caused by roadworks. However, in certain circumstances, businesses may be entitled to a temporary reduction in business rates due.

"We may also be able to reduce business rates bills by allowing temporary hardship relief. The process of applying for business rate support has been set out in a letter delivered to all affected businesses."

References

  1. ^ city centre street (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
  2. ^ coronavirus pandemic (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
  3. ^ Leicester City Council (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
  4. ^ Leicestershire Curry Awards 2023: Nominate your favourite Indian restaurant (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
  5. ^ Belvoir Street (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
  6. ^ the city centre (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
  7. ^ Italian restaurant Maurizio's (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
  8. ^ city council (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)

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