Owner of Tenterden Garden Centre furious at £110k loss during four-week closure of Appledore Road

The recent month-long closure of Appledore Road has significantly impacted local businesses, particularly the Tenterden Garden Centre, which has reported a staggering loss of £110,000 in trade. The road, a vital route connecting Tenterden to Romney Marsh, was closed throughout August for essential utility connections, drainage works, new street lights, and resurfacing as part of a housing development project.

Despite remaining open during the closure, Edward Boult, the centre's owner, expressed deep frustration at the financial hit his business has taken. He initially estimated that the closure could cost his firm up to £150,000, a figure he felt underscored the critical importance of passing trade for local enterprises. Boult, alongside over 1,600 other concerned residents, signed a petition opposing the roadworks, fearing that the disruption would adversely affect local businesses, commuters, and residents accessing essential services.

The project was led by UK Power Networks and Kent County Council and is linked to plans for 141 new homes in the area, which were approved on appeal last year. While the loss of income for the garden centre was less than initially feared due to the road reopening for two weekends, Boult reported that the extended closure has effectively eliminated any hopes of a profit this year.

Businesses were reportedly given just 18 days' notice about the closure, which left little time for planning and adjustments. Boult noted that they had already ordered stock and prepared for the peak season before being informed of the disruptions. He expressed the need for better communication from authorities regarding such significant works, suggesting that more advanced notice could have allowed for better preparation and flexibility.

The closure also raised safety concerns, particularly regarding the diversion routes that directed traffic away from Appledore Road. Boult's wife, Joanna, highlighted issues with heavy vehicles using narrow country lanes, which were ill-equipped to handle the increased traffic. Reports of large vehicles struggling to navigate these streets underscored the community's concerns about road safety during the works.

While Appledore Road has now reopened, questions remain about the management of traffic during the closure and the broader impacts on the community. A spokesperson from Kent County Council acknowledged that while Preston Lane was not part of the official diversion route due to its narrow and steep nature, they could not prevent motorists from using it. They reiterated the importance of following designated routes for safety.

As Tenterden approaches the busy Christmas trading period, Boult and other local businesses are now working to recover from the financial strain of the past month. The garden centre aims to maximise seasonal sales to mitigate some of the losses, but the impact of the road closure is a stark reminder of the interconnectedness of community infrastructure and local commerce. The experience has highlighted the need for ongoing dialogue between local authorities, businesses, and residents to ensure better planning and communication for future projects.