00:00Last orders for a Dartford cafe struggling to get feet through the door.
00:04Allison's Pantry says roadworks at the intersection with Highfield Road, West Hill, Spital Street and the A226
00:13have driven people away and that it can't afford to continue.
00:18We've got roadworks basically non outside the shop.
00:22That's removed 85% of my trade.
00:26I've lost all my morning trade and most of my lunchtime trade.
00:29And it's no longer able to sustain that up for any time to keep paying the bills.
00:37The works, which started on August 28th, are part of regeneration efforts for the town
00:43and are expected to last for another five months.
00:47But for Jason, who started the business in his partner's memory, this isn't good enough.
00:54Yes, so the roadworks are on now until the end of March and that's only phase two.
00:59And there's another two more phases with no timescales given.
01:02If customers are coming by car, they have to wait in the long queues
01:07and then have to do a detour to get in and out.
01:10And it's just taking them forever so that they don't have time,
01:13especially if they've gone to breakfast break or lunch break.
01:16People walking, if they're coming further around from Dartford,
01:20they're instructed basically not to come past the shop.
01:24Dartford Borough Council, who believe the works are vital,
01:28say they have been in close contact with businesses since they began
01:33and are working with their contractor to address any issues raised by businesses during this time.
01:42But for this pantry, the writing is already on the wall.
01:47Oliver, Leader of the Sacks, for KNTV in Dartford.
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