No gloom here

We are absolutely delighted that the work is finally going ahead after many years of discussion, and the end result will provide security and hopefully an enhanced environment in Pier Road.

The Environment Agency has engaged with Pier Road traders throughout the process and we have attended many meetings over a number of years. We have been asked to give views and input, and some of our suggestions have been taken forward.

Several people, not just Pier Road traders, suggested that a narrowing of the road at the corner opposite the Nelson public house in order to position a very large flower bed, might cause a problem. Designers then revisited this idea and concluded the narrowing the road was problematic and added costs that could be avoided. Things were not simply ‘amended at our request’.

We are extremely grateful that free parking has been offered to us and our customers during the works, personally we think it very generous of the council. They are certainly doing their best to keep Pier Road open as usual, as are we.

As for the compensation that Mr Wakeman mentions, he appears to be either misinformed or, in possession of details that we are not. I would be very interested to know who the ‘chief staff member at Arun District Council’ who gave these details to Mr Wakeman is.

His letter gives the impression that businesses in Pier Road will be handed compensation whether they incur losses or not. This is absolutely NOT the case. It is ridiculous to imagine that a government body would hand over money to anybody without proof of losses and scrutiny by loss adjusters! The compensation process is complicated and also private, but we would certainly not hope or wish to profit from it by way of the ‘bonus’ that Mr Wakeman refers to.

He mentioned that he would love work to be done to smarten up the area where his own business is located and we feel exactly the same about the enhancements to the area where our own business is. However, I believe that Mr Wakeman would also feel a little apprehensive about a complete change to his trading environment, and access for his customers and suppliers for an unknown period.

Whilst the Environment Agency and its contractors have a schedule for the works, weather conditions and contingency planning could certainly change things and we have been warned on many occasions of ‘worst case scenarios’ – indeed, the road closure application is in place until August, 2014.

At Fred’s, we are certainly not full of doom and gloom about the works taking place in Pier Road. We count ourselves lucky to have loyal customers who will come to buy their fish and chips from us, no matter what, and we will do our best to continue to provide the very best service whilst the work is being carried out. Hopefully, when the work is completed we can all enjoy the results together.

Christopher and Sophie Steinmore

Fred’s fish and chips

Pier Road

Littlehampton