Surprise roadworks around Abbey Foregate Post Office in Shrewsbury lead to a £28,000 reduction in monthly revenue for owner Caroline Jones.
However, a front page interview in local paper, the Shrewsbury Chronicle attracted the interest and support of the town, and even promised changes from the local council.
The roadworks form part of a £12m development scheme, but notice of the closures was only published online by the council, meaning many residents and businesses were caught unaware. Caroline told Retail Express: “When we first saw the traffic, we thought there’d been an accident.”
The traffic and excavations continued, turning a five-minute journey into an hour-long slog for most of her customers. Coupled with having 12 Post Offices in the town, the impact was severe.
The newspaper carried the postmasters’ description of the “terrifying” impact on her store, and as soon as it was in residents hands, the footfall increased.
Caroline Jones told Retail Express: “We’ve had so many people coming in since to show their support, it means so much. One elderly and disabled resident made the journey even though it was clearly a struggle for her, she said she’d read about us in the paper.”
The support wasn’t just in-store, but online as well, with over 5,500 views on the Post Office’s related Facebook post. One local resident posted: “Shropshire need to look after the businesses and residents first and foremost and you shouldn't need to keep reminding them of that.
"You offer the best post office service in Shrewsbury by far, and you need to be protected by all who use you.”
Another added: “Without question the best Post Office. Fantastic help and guidance from Caroline.”
The interest of the paper and the public also attracted the attention of the council, who met Caroline Jones after the article was published and agreed to change the traffic light system to help businesses like hers.
Another meeting with the heads of the council’s highways department, the engineering company involved and the contractors led to the council agreeing to create, print and distribute flyers informing the public of road closures and how to access the areas affected.
However, with nearly 12 weeks of nearby roadworks remaining, the shop owner is still concerned on the impact it will have as there’s no compensation available. Jones told Retail Express: “In a year we might have nice roads, but we won’t have any nice local businesses left on them.”
Simon Lunn's Simply Fresh in Weare, Somerset, was also impacted by a roadworks near his forecourt, which led to 2,000 fewer transactions taking place over the eight weeks. Lunn told Retail Express: "It caused a mile long queue past my forecourt, people are unwilling to stop if they think they will lose their place in the queue."
Do it: Use your local newspaper (and Retail Express) to highlight and drive change on the local issues important to your store
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