Flowers for Chris

Michelle Sutton, Amaryllis Flowers, Scot Lane, Aspull, is upset that roadworks have begun outside her shop without notice. Michelle is concerned that trade and deliveries will be affected on the busiest days of the year for her. Pictured are LtR: Michelle Sutton, kneeling, Emma Winstanley, Coun John Hilton, Coun Ron Conway and Coun Chris Ready

A FLORIST has hit out at roadworks which left her business stranded on one of her busiest days of the year.

Michelle Sutton, who owns Amaryllis flower shop on Scot Lane, Aspull says her Valentine’s Day business was severely hit by roadworks outside her window.

She slammed Electricity Northwest, who are carrying out the works, for failing to give her prior notice and claimed it has cost her hundreds of pounds in passing trade.

She said: “The whole thing has been a nightmare. The work started last Thursday without us being given any warning. On Valentine’s Day, the temporary lights were outside our store. It ruined our passing trade, which in previous years has made us so much at this time.”

A sign had been placed up by Electricty Northwest stating work would begin on Stanley Road which is opposite Ms Sutton’s store. However, there was no mention that the work would spill over onto the front of Amaryllis.

She says the shop was forced into carrying out deliveries further afield to make money.

Ms Sutton added: “We were hit hard at Christmas with the weather and we just had to accept it as nothing could influence that. We were relying on Valentine’s Day to make our money back and so this is very disappointing.

“I’m sure the work they are carrying out is worthwhile and as a local business I appreciate it, but if they had given us some notice, we may have been able to talk about when jobs were to be carried out so our busiest day wouldn’t be affected.”

Aspull, New Springs and Whelley councillor Chris Ready said: “It’s hard for local business to make a living in these difficult times. Emergency work is difficult to manage but it’s not difficult to send letters to explain the situation.”

The work being carried out by Electricty Northwest is part of a cable reinforcement programme where backup electricity would be at hand should there be a power cut.

A spokesman for Electricity North West said: “This work is part of a 3km network reinforcement project to improve supplies to thousands of homes and businesses. After speaking with the shopowner last week, we agreed to delay work over the weekend but had to progress on Monday. We take care to speak to local businesses so that we can amend our work programmes where possible, and we apologise for any inconvenience that cannot be avoided.”