Business owners on a street in Ramsbottom that was pedestrianised during the lockdown say they will ‘struggle to survive’ if the plans to reopen the road to traffic goes ahead.
Square Street was closed off to vehicles during the height of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020 after businesses reached out to Bury Council about the potential of introducing an European-style outdoor area to help ensure bars and restaurants could continue to operate whilst following social distancing measures.
The outdoor space became a popular area in Ramsbottom and has continued to allow bars, restaurants and shops to ‘flourish’ ever since. But owners say they have now been informed by the council that the road will be opened up to traffic on April 17.
Bury council has confirmed that Covid legislation that allowed for the closure 'runs out' on that date, but says it is doing everything it can to support local business, with the local authority's leader promising to take the issue up with the Secretary of State.
Fiona Botham, who runs tapas restaurant Levanter, was one of the first residents to enquire with the council at the start of the lockdown about closing the street off.
Speaking to the M.E.N, she said: “It was never just about us being able to trade outside, it was always about campaigning for a space on Square Street that any town business that put in the paperwork could set up tables and chairs, an outside bar, an outside food kiosk - it was literally about us all continuing to try and trade out of the Covid crisis.
“We absolutely would not have survived without the street closure.”
Whilst the outdoor space was a ‘lifeline’ during the pandemic, it has also allowed many of the street's bars and shops to continue to operate during a very difficult time for businesses.
“The economic landscape has drastically changed since before the pandemic,” Fiona explains. “A 24-cover tiny restaurant like ours just can’t survive - the numbers just don’t add up. We need those extra covers outside to make enough revenue during the summer to get us through the quieter times. That’s just the basic maths, I’m afraid.”
James Tresnan, co-owner of Slate Barbers, says that the outdoor seating area is good for morale and has ‘created a really nice vibe around the town’.
“The way pubs and restaurants are going at the moment, I feel it is in the interests of everyone to try and help them stay open,” he explains. “It just seems a shame that some people want to hinder others trying to make a go of it.”
James, whose barbers is celebrating its sixth year in operation in April, says when open, the road was essentially used as a ‘rat run’. “It’s there to skip the lights, basically,” he explains.
“It’s not necessarily a road for traffic and there’s very few car parking spots."
Rebecca Rothwell, who runs The Vineyard wine shop, said she too has seen the benefits of the pedestrianisation. Working as both a shop and an outdoor bar - thanks to the street closures - the Vineyard will often work with neighbours Levanter to provide wine to guests and likewise.
“It’s lovely, it’s just such a nice vibe on the street,” Rebecca says. “After the lockdown, everyone was just happy to be able to carry it on as it has really brought people and the local businesses closer together.
“Because of this we’ve been able to do wine tastings outside, work with the other businesses, and just help create a really nice environment for people to enjoy. All of us have to be off by 10pm, which has always been the case, but it’s definitely not a rowdy or noisy street.”
James believes that the area could join the likes of Chorlton and Northern Quarter in its reputation as a place to socialise.
“For what we will gain from reopening the street, it doesn’t even come near to the positivity that we can gain from it being closed,” he says. “All anyone needs to do is walk by on a Saturday afternoon and see just how much of a great community spirit it has.
“It’s great for our shop as a barbers - having people outside, having a chat and putting us on the map. It doesn’t directly affect our finances either way, but we love it anyway and we’re doing everything we can to fight for it. It will mean this could become the hub of Ramsbottom.”
In a Town Centre Plan published last year, Bury Council acknowledged that the pedestrianisation of the street had been ‘welcomed by residents, appreciated by visitors, and helpful to local traders’. The plan also proposed permanently pedestrianising the upper part of Square Street to support an 'evening economy' and provide a unique selling point for the area.
Despite the fact the road is set to be re-opened on April 17, those plans were approved by the cabinet last week, which many businesses say they felt just left them even more ‘in the dark’ about what is going to happen in the future.
“We’ve been trying to establish clarity on a way ahead and we were ready to invest in the area when we received the letter," Fiona, of Levanter, says. “We’ve been presented with pretty much a fait accompli despite our best efforts to find compromise.
“The double disappointment is that under the forthcoming Ramsbottom Plan, the proposal is to permanently pedestrianise Square Street anyway - it seems crazy to reopen it to traffic now only to close it again at a future date.
“Sadly, we might not survive that period and that’s really upsetting but that’s the bottom line. We’d already researched better, more aesthetically pleasing outside structures alongside possible retractable roofs and all-weather set ups. We’re putting that all on hold as without licensing assurances you can’t pursue investment like that in the current climate.”
James adds that while the cabinet’s approval is somewhat encouraging, he too is concerned about the impact it’ll have on businesses if they end up having to close the street in the interim.
“Any stability for any business is really beneficial right now,” he explains. “These aren’t just shops or bars, they’re the real heart of the community. It’d be a shame to spoil it.”
Re-opening the street on April 17 could also mean that businesses will also miss out on outside trading during the King’s Coronation bank holiday weekend - a big time for the hospitality industry.
“We’ll be able to do Easter weekend, but it looks like we will miss out on the King’s Coronation weekend and other bank holidays coming up,” Rebecca at The Vineyard says.
“It is just a lot of confusion. We don’t know what we’re doing. It’d be nice for us to know what’s going on.”
Last week, Rebecca set up a petition to help raise awareness of the street's predicament. To date, it's been signed by more than 1,000 people.
“The reaction has been great,” Rebecca says. “You don’t think that so many people will be supporting us and wanting to keep it going.
“We want this to just help inject life into Ramsbottom. We know it’s been successful, we’ve not had any trouble and it’s just been so well-received by so many people.”
Bury Council said it is working hard to support Square Street and is now attempting to extend the current road closure arrangements to ensure businesses have ‘continuity’ whilst a consultation on a new scheme is carried out.
Cllr Eamonn O’Brien, leader of Bury Council, said: “We’re doing everything we can to make sure all parts of our borough can get through the current economic challenges and thrive for many years to come. Some of it is outlined in our Ramsbottom Town Plan, an update of which was approved by cabinet just last week.
“Square Street was temporarily closed to traffic during the Covid lockdown to help businesses, particularly cafes and restaurants, to expand into the street and boost trade while keeping people safe and social distancing.
“However, the Covid legislation allowing us to do this runs out on 17 April. Any permanent road closure would need widespread support from residents and businesses across Ramsbottom.
“I understand the concerns of these establishments – therefore I will be writing to the Secretary of State asking him to extend the current road closure arrangements. This would give these businesses continuity, while we carry out the longer-term work needed for any new scheme, which will include full consultation with local businesses and residents.”
The Square Street petition can be found here.
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