'Serious risk' to businesses after closure of entrance to Derbion

SOME TRADERS HAVE RECORDED A 60% FALL IN WEEKEND TRADE

- By OSCAR FISHER

BUSINESS owners on one of Derby's busiest shopping streets have shared their collective sadness after one of Derbion’s entrances was closed last week, prompting a sharp drop in footfall.

The shopping centre confirmed that its Albion Street entrance would be closed to the public, effective immediately, on Friday.

This is to make room for a new Primark within the shopping centre, due to open in 2027, with the retailer moving from its longstanding premises in Cornmarket.

However, while traders see the value in a big project, a large number of them have been left furious at the “lack of contact” from Derbion, as well as how this could impact their business going forward.

Kevin Murray opened the Olive Tree Cafe in Albion Street just months before the pandemic, and has owned businesses “all across town” since moving from his native Scotland, including the Acropolis Cafe in the Market Place.

Mr Murray says he, alongside all the other traders on Albion Street, had “no warning whatsoever” from Derbion about the closure of the entrance, besides a short phone call once the entrance had already been closed on Friday.

“They didn't even give us any chance to arrange anything or let any of our customers know,’ said the 64-year-old. “They just closed the door and left us to it.

“The number of people who were actually walking up to the entrance all throughout Friday was remarkable, and there were elderly and disabled people walking up in the heavy rain, only to turn around and walk down again. It’s disgraceful how they've gone about it”

Mr Murray said that trade has already suffered over the weekend, describing it as a “massive” reduction that is “only going to get worse”.

He added: “They say it could be 18 months, but, looking at the Market Hall, for example, I’m sure it could be even longer, and we're just going to have to deal with it.