Dartford pantry "killed" by roadworks

KentOnline / KMTV

Allison's Panty was set up Jason Astell in memory of his partner who died during the pandemic, but he says its impossible for the business to survive.   Oliver Leader de Saxe reports

Transcript

00:00Last orders for a Dartford cafe struggling to get feet through the door.

00:04Allison's Pantry says roadworks at the intersection with Highfield Road, West Hill, Spital Street and the A226

00:13have driven people away and that it can't afford to continue.

00:18We've got roadworks basically non outside the shop.

00:22That's removed 85% of my trade.

00:26I've lost all my morning trade and most of my lunchtime trade.

00:29And it's no longer able to sustain that up for any time to keep paying the bills.

00:37The works, which started on August 28th, are part of regeneration efforts for the town

00:43and are expected to last for another five months.

00:47But for Jason, who started the business in his partner's memory, this isn't good enough.

00:54Yes, so the roadworks are on now until the end of March and that's only phase two.

00:59And there's another two more phases with no timescales given.

01:02If customers are coming by car, they have to wait in the long queues

01:07and then have to do a detour to get in and out.

01:10And it's just taking them forever so that they don't have time,

01:13especially if they've gone to breakfast break or lunch break.

01:16People walking, if they're coming further around from Dartford,

01:20they're instructed basically not to come past the shop.

01:24Dartford Borough Council, who believe the works are vital,

01:28say they have been in close contact with businesses since they began

01:33and are working with their contractor to address any issues raised by businesses during this time.

01:42But for this pantry, the writing is already on the wall.

01:47Oliver, Leader of the Sacks, for KNTV in Dartford.

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