Windsor businesses fear over footbridge works timing hitting trade

Windsor businesses have raised fears that major improvement works to a town centre footbridge could hit trade.

The footbridge connects the back of Windsor and Eton Central railway station to parts of Windsor, including Alexandra Gardens and The Arches.

A four-month maintenance project is planned for the ‘key gateway’.

Dave Hayward, co-owner of new business Indie Rabble Brewing Company in The Arches, said businesses are supportive of refurbishing the ‘horrid’ bridge, but are concerned that the work could ‘kill’ companies due to loss of trade if it takes place over the Christmas period.

He said businesses have heard improvement works were due to start this month and finish in January.

He added they were ‘never consulted’ over the works, and businesses are calling for the Royal Borough to delay the works to start in January.

But the council has said the start date for the work has not yet been confirmed, and businesses will be given notice once it is.

Signs will be in place with alternative routes for pedestrians to the town centre and castle.

Further works are also planned to enhance wayfinding and signage in the area to guide visitors to the town centre, including to key shopping areas.

The improvement works by the Royal Borough will involve refurbishing the footbridge, as well as the  lift and stairs from the Windsor Coach Park to the town centre, and cleaning and repainting the steel – all to ‘maintain the structure and enhance the sense of arrival’.

The refurbishment works are expected to take around four months to finish, including the erection and removal of scaffolding.

Highlighting the concerns of businesses, Dave said: “There are a dozen businesses very genuinely worried for their survival – we have all got a real reliance on Christmas trade – it sets us for the year.

“Hospitality has struggled so much over the last three years and still does with our operating costs higher than at any point in history.”

He explained that several nearby businesses have concerns, including his own - Indie Rabble Brewing Company, Two Flints Brewery, Heidi Studio and Cinnamon Café.

“Nominally, these works are to benefit businesses in the area and and it's just going to kill us, we need our Christmas trade,” he said.

Dave added that, as part of the works, scaffolding would be put up directly outside Indie Rabble Brewing Company and Two Flints Brewery, which will take away about half of the seating capacity outside, block all their signage and light into the units.

“So, it's going to look like we're closed for all intents and purposes,” he said.

A council spokesperson said: “We sympathise with the businesses and appreciate there’s never really a good time to undertake such works in a year-round visitor destination like Windsor.

“However, as a key gateway to the town, I think everyone accepts this footbridge really needs improvements and investment to enhance the sense of arrival and the welcome to Windsor for the thousands of people who use the Coach Park every year.

“We’re also required to maintain and repair the bridge under our lease with Network Rail, the bridge’s owner.

“The bridge needs to be completely encapsulated in scaffolding, due to its proximity to a working railway platform, and unfortunately there is no way of avoiding the structural towers.

“However, access to businesses will be maintained throughout. Businesses are also welcome to put their promotional signage on the scaffolding.

“Our dedicated Windsor town manager is in touch with businesses, and we’ll be working proactively with businesses to support them via our promotional channels, including Visit Windsor and My Royal Borough.”