🛑 “We’re Being Buried, Not Revamped”: Halifax Traders Sound Off Over Never-Ending Roadworks

What was meant to be a bold transformation of Halifax town centre has turned into a nightmare for small business owners on North Bridge—many of whom say they’re barely hanging on.

💬 “They closed the road outside my shop a year ago… then did nothing for months,” says Anna Rogusz, owner of Magmay Boutique. Her shop has been hidden behind towering fences, flooded by rainwater, and left in limbo by what she calls “a job that should’ve taken a week.”

The disruption is part of a major regeneration project introducing new cycle lanes and road layouts. But for traders, the only visible change has been a steady decline in footfall—and income.

📉 Jamie Khan, a landlord on the street, says one of his tenants has seen a 60% drop in trade, while others have shut down entirely. “There’s no urgency, no accountability. Barriers are left up for months with no work happening. It’s crippling livelihoods.”

Even more frustrating? The silence. Business owners say they’ve received no updates, no timelines, and no compensation. “They say it’s to make Halifax better,” Anna adds. “But how can it take a year to dig a hole?”

☕ Cafés, bars, and shops are all feeling the pinch. One trader, who asked not to be named, summed it up: “It’s not just the disruption—it’s the feeling that no one’s listening.”