'Grim' festive season fears as work goes on (From Free Press Series)

'Grim' festive season fears as work goes on

COUNCIL officials in Monmouthshire are pledging to help traders if a controversial town regeneration scheme runs into Christmas and hits their festive trade.

Stores in Chepstow say they face a 'nightmare' Christmas as council bosses admit rebuilding works in town may run over schedule and into the normally lucrative festive season.

But arrangements would be made to ensure traders' suffering is kept to a minimum said officers.

Steve Greenslade, corporate director for finance, said: "We are working hard to rein in both the cost and the timescale of the project but the work could run over Christmas.

"If, and it is a big if, that happens then we will work with traders to manage and minimise the impact it has.

"But the priority must be to deliver a high quality scheme which will benefit Chepstow in the future.

"I am currently meeting contractor Alan Griffiths to get revised costs and schedule."

It was revealed last week that the £1.7 million town regeneration scheme, originally due for completion in November, has spiralled over budget and is up to four months over schedule.

New council deputy leader and cabinet member for finance and budgetary control Graham Down said there was "major concern" that council officers didn't know the exact size of the overspend although they did confirm it was likely to be a six figure sum.

But traders said they were more concerned about the prospect of losing Christmas trade after struggling through a summer almost devoid of tourists because of the building work.

Abbie Beavis, owner of Iota Children's Clothing in Bank Square, said: "With the regeneration and other factors we've had a terrible year and as traders we need to recoup some of that loss.

"This scheme will be brilliant when it's finished but in the short-term the work has stopped people coming into town and the thought of that continuing into next year is a grim one.

"Losing Christmas trade after the summer we've had would be a nightmare. Many business would not survive