Dereham's Original Factory Shop fears over road closure

Nick Deere, manager of The Original Factory Shop in Dereham, believes the upcoming work planned on Matsell Way may lead to a drop in trade.

His fears came after Norfolk County Council announced work to improve the pedestrian crossing on the road will be carried out on or soon after January 22.

The road will be closed to through traffic for the duration, with a signed diversion in place.

The Original Factory Shop in Dereham (Image: Archant)

The closure will be from the Matsell Way junction with Norwich Road to 90 meters north of the junction.

“It isn't going to do us any favours, I am hoping trade maintains, but it might decrease, with footfall and sales likely to go down,” Mr Deere said.

“January across the board is always a slow month and this is going to make things worse.

"We've already had regulars tell us they are going to avoid the area for at least the next eight weeks, so we will lose out, but we will also be losing passing trade as people will not be driving pass.”

A sign warning about the upcoming road closure planned on Matsell Way in Dereham (Image: Nick Deere)

The work is expected to take eight weeks to complete. These works include widening the pedestrian crossing on Matsell Way, road surface maintenance, pavement resurfacing on the east side of Matsell Way, and ducting works.

“I know road works need doing, but it feels like eight weeks is a long time and will hit trade quite hard at a time of the year when it already has its challenges,” Mr Deere added.

“I am just hoping we can maintain what we are doing, but there are no promises.”

The county council's notice regarding the work thanked people for their patience while the improvement work is carried out by its community and environmental services department and their contractors.