BUSINESSES have welcomed longer hours of work at Frideswide Square, adding they are keen for the transformation to be finished so things can get back to normal.

One restaurant owner whose eatery is based right next to the busy roadworks in Frideswide Square believes while his trade is performing well, it would be even better if the work was complete.

Workers moved in to Frideswide Square, by the train station, in February this year to work on redeveloping the area.

It was recently announced that they will spend an extra hour-and-a-half each day on the square and will also come out on Saturdays, to get the job finished even earlier.

Top News

This news was welcomed by other businesses in the square, whose staff were looking forward to the end of the project.

Owner of newsagents Mini Station Rida Kariem said: “That would be perfect. It’s going to be amazing after it’s finished but at the moment it’s noisy and dirty and I have no customers at all.

“They should be working 24/7. It’s a good idea they are extending the day.”

Oxford Mail:

Andrew Norton

Teams working on the redevelopment of the square, which is set to continue until December, will now be on site from 7.30am to 6pm Monday to Friday and.They will work from 7.30am until 1pm on Saturdays. These hours are set to be in place until the work is complete.

Andrew Norton of The Jam Factory said: “The general perception is that it’s difficult to get into the city centre, but in reality it’s not.

“In the long run this is going to be better for everyone. We do a lot of events and weddings and these haven’t been affected. People still need to make reservations when they come to dinner too.

“We are growing. We’re 20 per cent up from last year. But I guess, if the roadworks weren’t there, would we be 50 per cent up?”

Oxford Mail:

 Amelia Serrano and Manon Franklin-Fraiture

#Oxfordshire County Council spokeswoman Emily Reed said: “We want to cause as little disruption to businesses, residents and general road users as possible.

“Just to be clear, works are not behind and we are still working towards a completion date of early December 2015, as was first publicised.”

Mr Norton, of the Jam Factory, said that while the roadworks were not affecting his business, he is worrying about the future of independent firms when the scheme comes to an end.

He added: “I don’t think the council are doing enough to help the businesses in Frideswide Square. As long as they improve the infrastructure for everyone and not only for businesses that can afford to be in a really polished environment, then we are all going to win.

“But if they press out small independents then obviously why would anyone come here as opposed to Swindon or Reading?”

Oxford Mail:

Rida Kariem

His employees Manon Franklin-Fraiture and Amelia Serrano said they had also not noticed much of a change in business since the beginning of the roadworks.

Ms Franklin-Fraiture said: “People still know who we are and where we are. They still come and get coffee.”

Ms Serrano added: “I haven’t noticed it at all. Maybe one of our locals has to walk a little bit further but that’s it.”