A flaming mess..

Deputy council leader Shoab Akhtar met store owner Alan Hopkinson last July to discuss the Metrolink traffic issues

The businessman who launched the campaign to save Yorkshire Street’s shops during the Metrolink chaos has fallen victim himself.

The Open Fire Centre, a family-run Yorkshire street business since 1990, is now in the hands of Leeds insolvency firm, Geoffrey Martin and Co.

Shop director Alan Hopkinson met Councillor Shoab Akhtar to discuss how to improve the situation for businesses in the area and had even compiled a survey, signed by 27 businesses, about problems associated with Metrolink works.

A handwritten note has now appeared in the door of his store saying “closed due to staff absence. Apologies for inconvenience.”

But suppliers Calder Masonry in Dewsbury confirmed the store has gone into liquidation.

Customer Stewart Frost was livid when his £4,000 fireplace was due to be fitted on Thursday and workmen failed to arrive.

Stewart, from Grotton, said: “I’m absolutely gutted. We only ordered our fireplace about five weeks ago. We were asked to pay in full up front, which I wasn’t very happy about.

“It is not a staffing issue at all and I can’t believe I didn’t get a call to let me know what was happening. People are going to be expecting deliveries and they’re not going to get them.”

Steve Homa, manager at Mann’s Furnishers, said he was shocked to hear about The Open Fire Centre and said the Metrolink situation hadn’t helped at all.

“We have had it ourselves with people saying they aren’t coming into Oldham while the roadworks are going on,” he said. “It’s so hard for delivery drivers and customers to get here.”

Peter Clarke from Muso’s said it is hard for all Yorkshire Street businesses at the moment.

“I’m convinced that Metrolink won’t make any difference in bringing people to Oldham. Customers have said to us they think Metrolink is brilliant as they can get to Bury and Manchester — but no one is mentioning coming into Oldham.”

Last year, councillor Shoab Akhtar vowed to undertake a monthly walkabout to chart the progress of disgruntled retailers as he looks to halt a big decline in trade.