The Natural Grocer Market & Social in Hexham to reduce opening days

Owners of the Natural Grocer Market & Social, Joanne and Gordon Moore, have resorted to a 'Plan B' and will now only open a few days a week in order to save their business.

The pair, who opened the business last year, believe this is the only way to survive the rest of the 20 weeks of the 40-week roadworks which started in July of this year.

The couple claim that an 'extensive' roadwork scheme has stopped tourists and regular customers coming into Hexham.

They were briefly considering closing - their Plan A - but did not want to give up their dream.

The work has stopped for three weeks over the Christmas period but will resume on January 8, 2024.

"It has been awful," Joanne said. "Our footfall has declined since the work started during our busiest months.

"Many of our customers have called up asking if we were open as they thought we were closed because of the green cover in front of the shop.

"Those who came in during the work would quickly leave because of the noise. No one wants to sit-in and relax when all you hear is the drilling outside.

"It really has been so stressful and has not helped our mental health.

"So, far I don't think the work has been worth it. The council has gone for a 'cafe culture' vibe but no one comes to Hexham just for pretty pavements.

"They come for the independent shops, shows at The Forum and The Queen's Hall but they have been put off because of the roadworks, traffic and parking. Everyone in the town who has a business has been affected.

"We could have opened in Morpeth but we thought Hexham would be better for us because of the thriving independent shops and businesses.

"We feel that we have had no help or anyone validating our concerns. We think that the council could have helped the businesses in this town a lot better especially as we lost a lot of customers visiting the town. Especially when we had a green screen in front of the business.

The roadworks green screen in front of The Natural Grocer Market & Social in Hexham (Image: The Natural Grocer Market & Social in Hexham)

"Our customers have told us that they were put off coming into town due to the parking and they did not want to spend ages waiting in traffic.

"Those are the problems the council should have solved and they should compensate us for the loss of income.

"We have already seen a rise in customers coming in because the roadworks stopped for the festive period - which proves our point.

"The problem is that the work is re-starting when we are busy and we fear that we have lost so much money that we haven't been able to cover ourselves during our 'quieter months' which we would have done during the summer.

"But I guess all we can do now is open a few days when we know we will be busy and keep positive and smiling for our lovely customers."

Another business that was affected by the roadworks was the The Victorian Tap, previously run by Gary and Simone Willis. The pair had decided to close the pub this year.

Simone said: "I’m not blaming the works entirely as we were also facing the cost-of-living crisis [and] the cost of fuel but all these added to it plus the price rises from Stonegate, it’s so hard for pubs to survive in the current climate.

"When the work started, they asked us not to open our front doors. So for a few days our manager Gareth had to keep them shut, so everyone thought we were closed. Only the side door was open.

"Since the start of the street regeneration and traffic upheaval we only listed £500 a week, so I really do think it was because customers couldn’t access the town plus the noise and upheaval."

Hexham bid farwell to Simone and Gary earlier this year (Image: Simone Willis)

A Northumberland county council spokesperson said: "Hexham High Streets Heritage Action Zone (HSHAZ) is part of a national £95million government-funded programme led by Historic England, designed to secure lasting improvements and rejuvenate historic high streets.

"Over recent years Hexham’s historic town centre has been in serious decline with one in five units in the key shopping area standing empty.

"This led a £3.5million investment by Northumberland County Council and Historic England to make Hexham a more attractive and vibrant place for people to live, work and visit.

"The public realm improvements are a key component of the investments underway and entire sections are now complete and looking significantly better than before.

"The investment is further supported by a building grants scheme, which has enabled business owners to undertake vital restoration work with a number of properties brought back into use, creating jobs and improving the streetscape.

"Over the last few months retailer confidence in Hexham appears to have increased with a flurry of business openings in the town centre. Muro Lounge has taken on premises vacated by Argos more than three years ago, Mountain Warehouse is moving to a larger unit and three new independent businesses are due to open their doors in the coming weeks.  

"The public realm improvements in Hexham are now well underway following over a year of engagement and consultation with the public and businesses.

"Throughout the scheme the council is continuing to take every measure possible to mitigate disruption to businesses and customers. This includes ensuring that access to properties and businesses is maintained and enabling deliveries as well as quick stops for shopping/collection, wherever practical.  

"Where we have been made aware of an issue, our on-site construction team has been very responsive and work hard to resolve matters as quickly as possible. We have sought to do so working with businesses and responding to feedback.   

"While we are very sorry to hear of the upset to some businesses, the majority have been very accommodating - understanding this important work is being carried out to bring much needed improvements to the streetscape of their beautiful and historic town. 

"A temporary one-way system has been in operation, but this has been lifted during December to support residents and businesses in the run up to the busy festive period. The scheme is due to be completed in Spring 2024."