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04
Jun
Harrogate business owner: “We’ve survived recession, foot and mouth and covid — but roadworks are killing us”
A businessman has launched a furious attack on the number of roadworks in Harrogate after yet more disruption.
Robert Harper, managing director of Pharmall Country Store in Killinghall, said the sheer volume of roadworks in recent years was tantamount to “a sustained, unnecessary, attack on our business, putting at risk 40 years of successful trading and the jobs of our 10 staff”.
The exasperated owner spoke out after another set of four-way lights went up at the Curious Cow roundabout at Killinghall yesterday.
Pharmall is located on the B6161 Otley Road, close to the roundabout, and has been subject to numerous roadworks in recent years, often to allow utilities to be installed for new housing developments.
Mr Harper said the roadworks were causing 40-minute delays and encouraging people to stay away. He added:
So, we’re here again… bloody roadworks outside our shop, for the 478th time in last four years. The disruption to local businesses and commuting public is off the scale. Only the abomination that is (formerly) Harrogate council could possibly approve a scheme like this. It makes my blood boil.
Through no fault of ours, we’ve suffered a sustained, unnecessary, attack on our business over the last few years, putting at risk 40 years of successful trading and the jobs of our 10 staff. We’ve seen off recession, foot and mouth, covid, even national PLCs who (allegedly) pay no tax in the UK, but Harrogate Council attempt to outdo the lot. Why can’t they encourage small businesses across the district instead of the constant stream of setbacks that hit us without option or opinion? It would surely help to make this, once beautiful town where I grew up, a far nicer place to live and work.
Pharmall has operated for 40 years.
Mr Harper’s post attracted numerous supportive comments, including one by Tom Gordon, the Liberal Democrat MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, who said he wasn’t surprised and “the frustration expressed is completely justified”.
Mr Gordon added:
I’ve heard similar concerns from other local businesses who’ve been repeatedly affected by long-term roadworks, and it’s simply not good enough. The impact on trade, staff, and customers is huge.
Today's live roadworks map for Harrogate.
He said he had signed an amendment to the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, which would require the government to compensate businesses and charities that suffer material financial loss or disruption due to road closures and prolonged works.
“The main driver for supporting this amendment was the extended period of works we can expect with the gateway scheme in Harrogate itself, but the same is true out of town and elsewhere too,” he added.
'I was furious'
Pharmall, which Mr Harper's family established in 1985, supplies a wide range of items ranging from farm animal health products to horse and bird food to pet products.
Speaking to the Stray Ferret today, Mr Harper said he “just needed to get it off my chest” and said he understood numerous other businesses felt the same way. He added: “I was furious. Everybody is sick of roadworks.”
The Stray Ferret reported last year Mr Harper planned to sell the business and retire. He said today he had found a buyer and the sale was proceeding.
He also said he had moved out of Harrogate because he was so sick of dealing with all the roadworks.
When asked if he expected his Facebook rant to have any impact, he replied: "All the comments have been supportive but I don't expect anything to come of it."
The Stray Ferret has approached North Yorkshire Council for comment.
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