A Scone business operator is calling on Upper Hunter Shire Council to immediately reopen the northern end of Kelly Street so his cafe doesn’t suffer a further loss of trade.
Phoenix Cafe owner Simon Roden has been told the closure is necessary to ensure the safety of workers completing gardening and stonework but said the small area being worked on could easily blocked off from traffic while keeping traffic flowing through the area.
“It’s extremely frustrating. It’s halved my business and I’ve had to put staff off as we approach Christmas,” he said.
Mr Roden contacted Upper Hunter Shire Councillor Troy Stolz after speaking with council staff and the Mayor, Maurice Collison.
Councillor Stolz said he doesn’t understand why the council has put the roadblock in place.
“I’m no expert but surely they can put a safety barrier of some sort in place like they do for all other jobs like this council or their contractors do around town,” he said.
The Hunter Valley Newsroom has contacted the council for a response but is yet to receive one.
