A BARBER whose shop has been boxed in by a multi-storey scaffolding for six years worries his business will close after “vital parking spaces” were removed from outside.
Gary Bedford, owner of The Barber’s Chair in Saxon Lane, Seaford, said he feels “invisible” after a walkway was put in last week.
The 44-year-old said the walkway has made business harder, along with the scaffolding, due to customers not being able to park outside.
He said the lost parking spaces are already impacting his business, as well as the neighbouring charity shop and laundrette.
Mr Bedford told The Argus: “We’re doomed with no parking, it does away all the pensioner trade and without that, our midweek work goes.
“I think what the council have effectively done is made it more comfortable for the company to stay where they are by putting the walkway in, rather than challenging them.
“I feel like they’re not on our side, that the best they can do is come and get rid of four vital parking spaces. At least until the work starts on the building, please reinstate the parking bays."
Last week, East Sussex County Council (ESCC), which manages the highways, had the walkway put in over safety concerns for people walking underneath the scaffolding.
The walkway is set to remain until the scaffolding is removed.
Mr Bedford claimed shop owners were not consulted on the new walkway and said most people are either still using the pavement or walking in the road.
Carolyn Lambert, Liberal Democrat councillor for Seaford South, was behind the walkway being put in and said she was contacted by people with mobility issues, adding that one lady with a visual impairment was injured "trying to negotiate the pavement" because of the scaffolding poles.
An ESCC spokeswoman said: “In response to public concerns, the provision of a temporary walkway was added as a condition to the scaffolding licence.
"The scaffolding is required to enable building works to take place and the walkway, which was put in place by the owner at their own cost, will ensure safe pedestrian access around the scaffold."
The site is owned by Vision Properties Ltd, which hired Able1 Scaffolding to erect the structure in 2016 and pay the company monthly. Both companies are from North London. The scaffolding is up due to the roof of the site not being waterproof.
Lewes District Council has considered taking action before with an S.215 untidy land notice, but councillors said they received assurances that development had started.
A spokesman for Lewes District Council said: “We completely understand and sympathise with the frustration felt by local people.
“Our officers are working behind the scenes and we will share updates on that work when they become available.
“Residents and business owners can be assured that we will continue to do everything we can to resolve this issue.”
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