Wheelies cafe warns removal of parking could be 'nail in coffin'

Wheelies Cafe in Portslade has pleaded for a "fighting chance" after all its nearby parking was temporarily removed for utility works.

The UK Power Networks said works for a new local customer in Victoria Road are expected to last until next week.

Nearby parking spots were previously removed for bike hubs and electric vehicle charging points, the cafe said.

Lozzie Cool, who has co-owned Wheelies Cafe for 15 years, said: "The thing with us is that we're a working men's and family cafe.

"The workmen need somewhere to stop off to have a quick bite to eat and don't want to be driving around.

"That's the same with families, they don't want to be trying to find a place to park.

"I'm asking for a fighting chance because we're trying everything we could possibly do, we had to adapt our business to survive and open again.

"This could be the nail in the coffin."

Next door to Wheelies is wool and yarn shop, The Dropped Stitch.

They are also furious with the removal of parking due to the impact on their business.

Anthony Bath, from The Dropped Stitch, said: "It is causing our business a lot of grief.

"After the last 18 months or so this is the last thing we needed.

"Especially considering we are trying to celebrate our 36th birthday this year, I haven't got many people coming in to celebrate it with."

Businesses across the city are in a perilous position due to the ongoing impacts of the coronavirus crisis.

Last week, the owners of Le Nantais near Palmeira Square announced they would be selling the French diner.

The owners say they made the "difficult decision" due to the " the past year that we have experienced".

Ms Cool added: "Our parking situation is not permanent, but sometimes these things can over run - it's out of our hands.

"It is really frustrating."

A council spokesman said: “We are very sorry to hear that Wheelies Cafe is having a difficult time and is being affected by the roadworks in their street.

“The roadworks are being carried out by UK Power Networks.

“The council has no powers to intervene or stop work such as this by utilities companies.

“These companies have a duty to work with affected residents and businesses.

“The cafe may wish to contact UK Power Networks to see whether their situation during the roadworks can be improved.”

UK Power Networks said: "We apologise for the disruption while we carry out essential roadworks in Victoria Road, Portslade.

"This is to install a new connection for a local customer and for safety reasons it has been agreed with the council that we temporarily close some parking bays on the route.