Public support is growing for Wokingham Borough Council to provide assistance for businesses that have been damaged by the ongoing roadworks at California crossroads in Finchampstead.
Businesses have reported a decline in business by as much as 75%, with one describing it as being financially more damaging than the Covid pandemic.
William Brown, a long-time resident, has launched an online petition calling on Wokingham Borough Council to compensate affected businesses.
Launching the petition, he wrote; “The redevelopment of California Crossroads in Finchampstead by Wokingham Borough Council is scheduled to last until September 2024.
“The roadworks have drastically reduced access to the local shops and businesses at the crossroads and in the surrounding area.
“At least a 40% drop in trade is already being reported.
“These businesses are at the centre of the community, providing vital services to residents of Finchampstead, including the Post Office.
“They desperately need support to survive this shift in circumstances well beyond their control.
“Despite this, WBC has failed to compensate the shops for the loss of business directly caused by the Council’s actions.
“As residents who will be most affected should we lose these services permanently due to the downturn in trade, it is essential that we now intervene and call on Wokingham Borough Council to change its position and compensate the businesses at California Crossroads, either directly or through significant reductions in rates, for the crippling loss of trade caused by the redevelopment.”
Speaking to Wokingham Today, he stressed the petition was not politically motivated.
“I feel strongly that it’s the role of the council to protect and encourage local businesses.”
The petition had more than 480 signatures when Wokingham Today went to press on Wednesday evening.
William said he intends for it to be presented at a forthcoming council meeting to highlight that strength of local feeling.
Charles Margetts, a Conservative councillor for Finchampstead North which includes the crossroads, said: “The redevelopment at California Crossroads started several weeks ago and the effect on local business can be seen.
“The chemist has seen a 75% drop in sales, the barber on Nine Mile Ride took £180 on one Saturday in revenue, and both Red Oak Stores and Bob’s Fish and Chips have seen a 45% drop in turnover.
“I am very worried that these businesses are not going to survive another six months of this.
“The council has made no provision for financial help for these businesses, has refused requests for compensation, and is referring requests for business rates reductions to the valuation office in London.
“It simply is not good enough.”
He urged Finchampstead residents to shop locally, and to support these businesses.
Trevor Creswwell, owner of Cresswells Garage, said: “It would be very useful if more support was available, as this situation is more financially damaging than Covid.
“There is very little help out there. There is talk of reducing the business rates but that is a drop in the ocean to be honest in comparison to the losses we are experiencing.”
Citing budget documents from a recent council meeting, Cllr Margetts noted how Wokingham Borough Council appears to have an £843,000 saving on the California crossroads procurement compared with funds provided by the property developer for the works as part of a Section 106 legal agreement related to the Arborfield Green development.
Writing to several council executives, he said: “I am really concerned about the businesses and their survival.
“Can we release some of this money to them as a grant or loan to help them get through this?”
Wokingham Today understands that the funds provided for the California crossroads works as part of the Section 106 agreement can only be used for that specific purpose, and not for any possible compensation for the traders.
Any unspent funds would be required to be used solely on works that impact the highways as a direct result of the Arborfield Green development.
Residents who feel strongly about this issue can sign the online petition at https://bit.ly/3v0bXhT.
