THE landlords of the Bull and Dog pub are thanking the public after an article in the Star highlighting their plight amid the CYCLOPS junction works have seen more customers come through their doors.

Last week, the Star reported how landlords Mike Fishwick and Sara Cunningham have been living in ‘an absolute nightmare’ since the works have been underway from November.

The CYCLOPS - which claims to prioritise the safety of pedestrians and cyclists - segregates cyclists from motorists, aiming to reduce the possibility of collisions or conflict – while making pedestrian crossing times quicker.

However, partial and often almost full road closures have been in place throughout, severely affecting the neighbouring businesses, particularly the Bull and Dog pub.

After the initial report, hundreds of Star readers reacted to the news that the business has been affected more than 60 per cent in the period of time the works have been carried out.

Since then, landlord Sara Cunningham says that many Star readers have been making an effort to visit the pub, despite the difficulties in getting in.

 

She said: “The reply to the Star article from the council was ridiculous and no apology at all for what our business has suffered.

“What has been amazing though is the response from the people who read the article, on Facebook in the comments and also those who have made an effort to come in over the weekend.

“It’s not nice having to explain constantly on the phone – especially on Sunday (our busiest day) – how to access the pub, but the works will hopefully be done soon.

“Reminisce will be good for business for us, so though we are annoyed at it taking so long, we will be glad to see the back of all of this.

“We can’t thank people enough for their support and our Brewery Stonegate who are helping us to claim compensation for the loss of earnings due to all of this mess.”

A spokesperson for Stonegate added: “We are assisting our tenants as they continue to navigate the works taking place outside the Bull and Dog. “They have been in touch with the local authority as they seek solutions to the ongoing disruption to their business and impact it has had on their custom. “The pub is still open and trading and we would like to see a conclusion to the works as soon as possible and without further delay.”