Tram works causing devastating losses, says pub boss

The boss of a Birmingham pub and music venue has said work on a new tram line has "hit traders hard" and has called for it to be completed urgently.

Peter Connolly, who owns Nortons in Digbeth, said ongoing work on the Eastside Metro extension had reduced footfall in the area and he was worried about the impact over the busy summer period.

Transport for West Midlands apologised for the disruption and said the tram line would support local businesses and bring new investment into the area.

It also said to speed up work it had introduced additional shifts with contractors and hoped to open the section of Meriden Street by the end of June.

Connolly said traders had suffered significant disruption due to Midland Metro Alliance work on Meriden Street, Bordesley Street, Coventry Street and New Canal Street.

As well as a drop in footfall, he said it had resulted in a rise in fly-tipping, break-ins, and issues around suppliers, deliveries and events.

In an open letter on his website, he said: "We've been very patient (OK, bar a few social media outbursts) however we've had 31 days of May and the construction is still ongoing."

He said he was expecting a busy summer with the World Cup, All-Ireland finals and European Athletics Championships and feared trade during that period would be affected.

The disruption so far had "contributed to a devastating loss of trade for Nortons and neighbouring businesses", he said.

The Birmingham Eastside Extension will provide connection to HS2 at Curzon Street and Transport for West Midlands said: "We fully appreciate that construction can be challenging and apologise for the disruption, particularly at a time when all high street businesses are facing broader economic pressures."

It said it had taken the steps to speed up the work after listening to the concerns raised by Connolly.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.

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