Traders in a north-east town fear an emergency road closure caused by a huge hotel blaze is threatening their businesses and could lead to job losses.
Macduff’s Shore Street has been shut since the landmark Highland Haven Hotel was destroyed in a fire three weeks ago.
Traffic and pedestrians are being diverted away from the main access routes into the town-centre while council chiefs arrange for the building to be demolished, but business leaders say the blockage is having a “devastating” affect on their livelihoods in the all important run-up to Christmas.
Aberdeenshire Council revealed yesterday that the road might not fully re-open before December 12, due to public safety reasons.
But last night Des Cheyne, who owns a Co-op grocery store in the town and employs 13 people, warned the slump in trade might eventually lead to job losses.
“The situation is intolerable and is costing myself and other businesses lots of money,” he said.
“The last thing I want to do is tell staff just before Christmas that I can’t afford to pay them, but I want answers and assurances that this will be sorted out as soon as possible.”
Mr Cheyne, who also owns the popular Spotty Bag Shop in neighbouring Banff, said he was disappointed by the lack of communication from the local authority.
“No one has even considered keeping the people of Macduff up to date with what is happening,” he claimed.
Ken Hawkins, who owns The Old Moray pub, said he feared the closure would force him out of business altogether.
“My trade has been cut to where I am trading at a loss,” he said.
“I’m not making a profit and haven’t been since the day the road was closed. If I had a little more information from the powers that be as to why the road is closed and why it’s been closed for so long, I would be able to make a decision as to whether to keep my business open or not.
“I haven’t had to lay anybody off, but – to be honest – if I was told the road was going to be closed for another three months, then I would probably close up business this week.”
Robbie Thomson of The Garrett Home Furnishings, said the closure had made a noticeable impact on his store.
He said: “We’ve certainly noticed a difference. The order book is quite good, but there are not the folk coming in to buy again to keep it going.”
Aberdeenshire Council said the road could remain closed to two-way traffic until December 12, although single-lane traffic may be able to use it by November 24.
A spokeswoman for the authority said it appreciated the inconvenience the situation was causing and urged shoppers to continue to use local businesses.
Macduff councillor Hamish Partridge sympathised with the affected firms, saying it was “vital” that the road should reopen in time for them to benefit from the Christmas trade period.
He said: “Clearly, the road closure has made a big difference to businesses. We need to work with the demolition contractor and the council to get this road open as soon as possible, at least to single-lane traffic.”
Seventy firefighters were called to the Highland Haven when the fire broke out on October 19.
It was the third major incident in Macduff this year.
More than 50 firefighters tackled a blaze at a derelict house at Braeheads in April, just days after nearly £200,000 of fishing gear was destroyed in a fire at a storage yard in Mill Street.