Traders deliver to keep business going

BUSINESS owners in Portishead are looking at alternative ways to boost trade after the closure of High Street has left them without customers.

Shop keepers say Portishead has become a ghost town since the road outside their stores closed to traffic, to allow major road improvements to be carried out. The work is expected to continue until February 11.

Some traders have now come up with ideas in an attempt to save their businesses.

Dave Mortimore who runs the Outlet discount store says if his customers do not come to him because of the chaos, he will go to them. Dave is offering to take orders by telephone and deliver them to customers’ doors.

He said: “I can’t sit by and let my business suffer without trying to do something about it.

“We have asked the council for rate relief to help us survive but have been refused. I’m offering to deliver goods to people’s homes and will make no charge for deliveries over �5.” Dave can be contacted on 01275 814060.

Juicy Jones the fruit and vegetable shop in High Street is also offering to deliver goods. Owner Simon Jones said: “We need to do anything we can that will boost trade while people are avoiding the High Street.”

Traders say business has been hampered even more because of the closure of Worthington’s Walk, a walkway linking Co-op car park with the High Street, for resurfacing.

Mark Hill who runs the Sport Shop said: “There’s nothing like kicking you when you’re down. This has to be the worst possible time to close this link vital link to High Street.”

Town leaders and Portishead Chamber of Commerce are urging people to support the High Street during the closure.