It Is inevitable that the huge SouthGate redevelopment should havean impact on nearby businesses, but it is a dreadful shame if itleads to their closure.
With the shops in the former concrete development now reduced torubble and the bus station relocated to Avon Street, it is no wonderthat footfall in the area has fallen dramatically with the resultantfall in business for those who are still operating.
The overall impression is one of desolation, especially tovisitors arriving by train. They see little point in staying aroundthe building site area and head swiftly up through the city tonormality.
In the meantime, businesses such as Cafe Fratelli in DorchesterStreet and Avon Audio Visuals on Lower Borough Walls are strugglingto keep going, and the owners are doubtful that they'll be able tokeep going until the development is completed.
The loss of any independent trader is a blow but in a city such asours where the array of such businesses has always been one of itsmajor assets, it will be a disaster.
It is, perhaps, unreasonable to assume that the council can doanything to help financially - if it offers to bail one out then itwould lay itself open to having to support all - but rents on council-owned properties could be frozen until the disruption is over.
Residents in Bath who want the city to prosper can do their bit bymaking a conscious decision to seek out the remaining businesses inthe Southgate area and use them when they can.
It will provide the opportunity to see how the huge rebuild isprogressing and increase the anticipation of what is going to be asuperb transformation of that end of the city and one that will bringenormous benefits for newcomers and those who manage to hang on in there alike.
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