TRADERS in Thurnscoe say their businesses will be hit hard after being told they cannot place stock in front of their shops.

Several shops on Houghton Road received letters this week informing them they will have to clear a pathway after the pavement was resurfaced - so that pedestrians can use it safely.

 

Nigel Scott, 47, owns both DJ's Food and the Corner Café on Houghton Road, and says having goods such as plants outside attracts customers into the shop and says there is plenty of room for people to get past even with the stock outside.

He said: "We had no idea that this was coming. The footpath is very wide and it's been like this for years. We need to have stock outside to keep running.

"It's a major concern for us and it will cost us a fortune in lost takings which we didn't need."

The deputy manager of Lloyds Stores Linda Wilcox, 52, added: "It's been like this for the 40 years that this business has been here and nobody has ever said anything before.

"We are trying to make a living and nobody down here is making a fortune.

"There is room to get by for everyone, including mobility scooter users. It's just unnecessary hassle for us."

 

A spokesman for Barnsley Council say they have received a number of complaints about the limited access on Houghton Road, but would like to invite shop owners with concerns to contact them with their issues by calling the number stated on the letter.