It’s going to be a blue Christmas for several businesses in the Wildey, St Michael area.
They say the major problem is that customers are shunning the district, rather than get caught up in traffic congestion or be forced to take a roundabout way to reach the next destination.
They charge that it all started when Wildey Main Road, from the Carter’s junction to the traffic lights near the LIME headquarters, became a one-way street.
Director of Simply Weddings, Claire Alleyne, told the WEEKEND NATION: “There has been a significant drop in our sales, somewhere between 30 and 45 per cent, since this problem started.
“A lot of people try to avoid this road because of the congestion and the craziness that goes on on it every day of the week.”
Brothers Barber Shop said business had fallen off significantly and agencies such as the Barbados Investment & Development Corporation (BIDC) should look at the possibility of helping the affected businesses with advertising.
“We used to get some spin-off business from a number of companies in the area and when they moved out we lost some of that business,” manager of the Brothers’ Wildey operations, Colin Haley pointed out.
Palm Plaza, where the barber shop is located, has lost several clients, including two clothing establishments in recent times and this has been linked to a fall in sales.
TDK Auto Supplies is among businesses in the plaza which have been adversely affected, but has used flyers and other forms of marketing to boost sales.
“Since the road went one-way, our sales dropped tremendously and things are still the same way,” said a representative of Ultimate Choice, a variety store that sells ties, colognes and other items.
However, some small food vendors in the area said things were not so bad.
“Our sales might even be slightly up,” said one canteen operator, who preferred to remain anonymous.
Meantime, the Yuletide spirit is yet to hit Wildey Plaza. Most of its shops have moved out to allow major renovation of the structure. (TY)
