Road to nowhere

END of the road . . . shopkeeper Danny Mahmood

Metrolink work leaves shopkeeper on the brink

A SHOPKEEPER fears Metrolink road closures could spell the end of the line for his business.

New father Danny Mahmood says that he is on the brink of going under after busy Drury Lane, Chadderton, was closed to convert the railway bridge to Metrolink.

Mr Mahmood only bought Best-one Xpress six months ago, spending around £6,000 on refurbishments and stock.

He even worked with the police and local community to shift troublemakers who used to hang around outside the premises before he took over.

However, trade has plummeted by 20 per cent since the road closed on February 1, affecting the number of drivers who stop at the shop.

Danny, dad to three-month-old daughter Eiliyah, has been unable to claim compensation because of the disruption, which is set to continue until June.

He said: “If it goes on until June I am looking very tight. It is the last thing I want because I owe a lot of money to family and friends who have helped me.

“I only recently started taking a wage. If I had been here five years I would have enough capital to see me through.

“If I had known they were going to close the road I wouldn’t have taken over the shop.

“It’s one of the main routes through Chadderton — the main link for people coming back from Manchester.

“The diversion is almost a 15-minute drive. Because of that, people do not come past the the shop and stop. It’s like being at the end of a cul-de-sac.

“It gives my customers the chance to go to other shops and it’s harder to get them back once they have gone.”

Danny said that a neighbouring sandwich shop, also affected by the closure, has called on transport bosses at Greater Manchester Transport Executive (GMPTE) to offer more support.

Councillor David Hibbert has asked council officers to visit Danny to see what help he can be given.

He added: “There should be some scheme to help businesses which are facing difficulties through no fault of their own.”

GMPTE said that letters were sent out to residents and businesses on January 22 to say stating the work would continue until June.

Its Metrolink director Philip Purdy said: “We appreciate that the work may cause some disruption, which is why we have written to residents and businesses and held events in the area from the start of this project to endeavour to keep people informed about the work and, most importantly, what the end result will be. Business owners can contact Metrolink on 0161- 244 1555 to discuss any further issues.

“We would recommend that anyone who is thinking about seeking compensation takes legal advice in advance to find out whether they are entitled to submit a claim.”