October 11, 2018 9.16 am This story is over 64 months old

“Dixon Street works ruined my business”

The road closure meant significant losses for the business

A local businessman claims that the three month closure of Dixon Street severely damaged his business.

The busy road was closed and diversions were put in place on July 23, but repair works are finishing and it is set to reopen this week.

The completion has come all too late for the owner of Super Hand Car Wash Lincolnshire, who claims to have made some heavy losses as a direct result of the road closure.

It has been a staple on Dixon Street over the past ten years, but the future of the car wash is now uncertain and the business owner said he has been forced to cut five out of eight jobs.

The car wash has been successful over the past ten years. Photo: Connor Creaghan for The Lincolnite

The owner’s records show that during July the car wash took £25,438, but that figure reduced to £7,597 in August while works have been ongoing.

Abdul Wahed Haji, owner of Super Hand Car Wash Lincolnshire, told The Lincolnite: “It has been a very successful car wash over the past ten years that it’s been here.

“But the construction works are ruining my business and I’ve had to borrow about £50,000 from the bank. It has reduced me to tears, I don’t know what we can do.

“It’s been a pain and I have the records to prove it all. I have lost about £100,000 in turnover and loyal customers. How can it take three months to repair a little bridge like that?”

The business owner has questioned why the works took three months to complete. Photo: Connor Creaghan for The Lincolnite

The businessman was planning on opening a third car wash on Carholme Road and has already invested some money into the site, but he has been forced to pull out because of the losses on Dixon Street.

Abdul has written to Lincolnshire County Council to seek compensation for the loss of business and to protest the works.

However, the chief executive of the council replied to his letter to say that they were “unable to offer any compensation.”

“Any losses as may be proved are sincerely regretted,” reads the council’s letter. “However I trust that you understand that the county council can do little beyond trying to maintain the best access possible to your premises.”

Now that the road is reopening, the business is expected to continue as normal.

The bridge and the rest of Dixon Street is set to reopen soon. Photo: Connor Creaghan for The Lincolnite.