Business

Rahul Sood, owner of Flower Corner in Broad Street, is calling for comepnsation because of the effect of the town centre roadworks on trade
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Trader calls for compensation after 40 per cent drop in sales during roadworks

By Jon Nurse
March 07, 2013

An angry trader is calling for compensation after sales plummeted around 40 per cent as road works continue in the town centre.

Rahul Sood, owner of Flower Corner in Broad Street, says he has been let down by borough councillors as South East Water’s £2 million project moves into Shute End.

Many retailers noticed a drop in trade while the water company installed a 200m pipe in Broad Street during three weeks last month.

The work finished early and the road has reopened to one-way traffic, but engineers moved into Shute End on Monday, which is due to be shut until Monday, April 1.

Mr Sood said: “It’s had a big knock-on effect and speaking to other businesses around everyone is on the same page. It has killed the business – the way they have done it has been a mess. They have taken my sales for Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day, which are big events for us.

“When I look at our sales from last year, they have gone down by 25 to 40 per cent.”

He continued: “The borough council should compensate the businesses. I’ve asked for a concession on business rates – but they should have sorted this before. Our councillors should be more involved in these things. Why has no-one stood up for us so far?”

Shute End is closed between its junctions with Rectory Road and Station Road, with Bracknell-bound traffic diverted via Reading Road, Robinhood Lane, Davis Street, Lodge Road, Wokingham Road, Twyford Road, Milton Road and Glebelands Road.

Reading-bound traffic must travel via Market Place, Denmark Street and Station Road.

James Smith, South East Water delivery manager, said: “Our work in Broad Street and Shute End was always going to be the most difficult and we are working hard to minimise the disruption caused.

“We would encourage people to come and support the local shops which are very much open for business.

“I would like to reassure the community our contractors are working hard to complete this final section of work in the town centre as quickly and as safely as possible.”

For more information about the programme of work visit www.southeastwater.co.uk/wokingham or www.getwokingham.co.uk.

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@DT - not really. As pointed out on here already, he has lost trade due to allegedly poor service and high prices. The work that has gone on should reduce the need for emergency repairs in the future. The council cannot stop the works and so should never pay any compensation. The rates do not mean they can do anything to stop these works. The argument lies with SE Water. Take them to court and see where you get. If you win, it was worth it, and SE Water had not done their job.

mavdo, Wokingham
12/03/2013 at 22:49

Beef Cake Argh!, if you owned and ran a business, would you go through all of that to mitigate for someone else messing up your road and your trade? And why should you?

The guy's paying rates (which I expect are very high, given the other stories we read on here often) and is getting far less for it that he should. He's paying the extra tax so he can 'afford a summer holiday' himself.

Damiano_Tommassi, Wokingham
11/03/2013 at 11:45

Beef Cake Argh! - because that wouldn't make economic sense. To open the flower shop, pay the electricity, and have four members of staff there all day on a Sunday when there's no-one in town means losing a lot of money. If trade is down 40% as it is with people avoiding town because of the roadworks, opening on a Sunday when there are always far fewer people in town would be madness.

Damiano_Tommassi, Wokingham
11/03/2013 at 11:45

How much trade does a business have to lose, directly as a result of someone else, before they're due compensation then? 35%? 25%? 10%?

Damiano_Tommassi, Wokingham
11/03/2013 at 11:45

South East Water should just switch the water off to the shop and see how he reacts then! Seriously, essential utility work needs to take place and there is no way to do it without causing some disruption. In the same way that the Shinfield Road businesses in Reading complained, there is a point where they need to look in the mirror rather than blame everyone else. It is likely that the works had some impact, but I doubt it would lose 40% of trade through and the compensation argument is ridiculous.

Smiffy, Reading
08/03/2013 at 09:37

Why is this shop (and others) not open on Sunday?

Beef Cake Argh!
07/03/2013 at 17:00

@Beef Cake - don't mean to defend, it sounds like the Flower Corner has its own reasons for not doing well, but that chap lives in Seattle so may not be the same Rahul ;)

alex_f, Wokingham
07/03/2013 at 16:04

Why do people keep blaming the borough council - it's nothing to do with them.

IT'S SOUTHEAST WATER

Not a good decision of The Flower Corner to raise their profile only to be told their excessive prices are the reason for their falling trade.

I used to go there when it was owned and run by Margaret and Tony Finch.

They knew what they were doing and had a very successful business.

well, well, well
07/03/2013 at 13:51

I used to use "Flower Corner" regularly but in the last few years their prices have increased out of proportion to their competition and the variety of their offerings dropped.

They lost my custom for these reasons not due to the road works.

PoneRana, Wokingham
07/03/2013 at 13:36

I thought that name sounded familiar: http://www.rahulsood.com/

Stick to technology my friend.

Beef Cake Argh!
07/03/2013 at 13:33

Mr Sood... I was in wkm on Tuesday and the traffic was not that bad. Yes it got blocked up now and again (I was there between 12 and 4pm) but it was moving so if people wanted to come into your shop they could have done so.. Your prices are high and the delivery charge is £5.95 even if customers live in wkm town. You also have a website so customers could use this if they felt it was good value. In a time where money is very tight customers will take the cheaper option via internet, Sandhurst flower shop, supermarkets or Longacres. If your business is 40 % down because of Valentines/Mothers day then your business model needs to be re- evaluated.

Stig2, Wokingham
07/03/2013 at 13:17

@Old Abe - whilst I can't speak personally about the Flower Corner, I have noticed far less people in town, and have heard from multiple retailers about a dip in sales.

alex_f, Wokingham
07/03/2013 at 11:12

Beef Cake - I also don't usually agree with complaining to the local paper. But what you have suggested are all quite major operational changes or investments in the business and their model, not a mitigation for a 3 month quiet period. I agree some should have been done regardless - e.g. I can't really understand those shops who complain about online businesses whilst not even bothering to invest in a website and mandating that people should go to local businesses simply out of principle.

Hardship funds are in place for alot less 'worthy' things than this, but yes I would actually be prepared to pay extra council tax (but some of the cost should really have been taken on by South East Water?).

alex_f, Wokingham
07/03/2013 at 11:09

alex_f. You could put some money aside; build up your internet trade; run a flower stall from the market; relocate lock and stock. You do something other than complain to the local paper.....

Would you be happy to pay extra council tax so that Mr. Sood can afford a Summer holiday this year?

Beef Cake Argh!
07/03/2013 at 10:17

I wanted to buy a small bouquet of flowers as a thank you last weekend and walked into Flower Corner.

I was told by staff that the minimum spend for a bouquet was £30.00. I left the store

I purchased a bouquet elsewhere in the town where prices started at a more reasonable level.

Perhaps Mr Sood should look to his own decisions for his trade dimiinishing rather than seeking to place all of the blame elsewhere.