One of the Aberdeen’s most popular charities could be forced out of business due to a 10 week road closure related to a major housing project
Somebody Cares, based in the former site of Dobbies garden centre on in Hazlehead, provides food, clothing and furniture to families living in poverty all across the Granite City.
But the decades-old organisation might have to close its doors for good due to the closure of Hazledene Road from August 24 to October 30, the main road used by its delivery drivers and visitors to the charity.
The closure will be put in place to make way for the construction of the property firm Dandara’s Hazlewood development, which will involve around 350 homes being built in the area.
Brian Taylor, the chief operating officer of Somebody Cares, said: “It could potentially put us out of business.
“We haven’t been told about any of this, this is all happening without our knowledge.
“Last Tuesday they put traffic lights for a one way system in, which we knew nothing about, and our sales have immediately dropped by about 50%.
“The following day they put in signs saying the road will be closed for 10 weeks, which we were also told nothing about.”
A diversion will be put in place to allow access to the charity, but Mr Taylor believes the alternative route will be too long.
He said: “This huge diversion will just kill us. It’ll take you a good 10 minutes, maybe 15, to get here now, instead of the few minutes it would take right now. It’s just a killer.”
Hazlehead councillor Martin Greig opposed the development.
He said: “The road will not even be open for access or delivery. This is because the roadway is narrow and the roadworks are of a major scale.
“Somebody cares does wonderful, important, charitable work and is going to be unfairly hit by this unwanted closure.”
A spokesman for Dandara said: “Ahead of the part-closure of Hazledene Road, diversion signs were installed on August 12, pre-warning of the closure.
“A letter was also dropped to all properties affected advising of the impending closure and alternative access arrangements.
“We previously offered to provide additional signage and advertising, to assist the charity during the period of the works and to highlight the diversion, however this has not been taken up.
“The closure is required to allow us to bring Hazledene Road up to adoptable standard along its full length – something campaigned for by the community for a number of years.”
“While the closure order is in place for a total of 10 weeks, if conditions are favourable the work could be completed sooner.”