A LETTER sent to the county council last week by the leader of town’s chamber of commerce pleads with them to listen to traders before it is too late.

Sherren McCabe-Finlayson, President of Monmouth Chamber of Commerce, says the letter “reflects the unanimous voice of our Chamber members and expresses the growing frustration, concern, and emotional fatigue shared across Monmouth’s business community and, indeed, many residents.”

The letter addresses the very real and ongoing impacts of disruption in the town centre. It outlines the wider consequences of decisions being made without sufficient regard for the cumulative damage being done — to livelihoods, mental wellbeing, and “the future identity of Monmouth itself”.

Sher says that she has heard of one long-standing trader that is giving up due to reduced footfall — a direct result, they believe, of Agincourt Street being closed for 19 weeks following on from last year’s disruption to the town centre by the replacement of the water mains and the concurrent active travel work outside Bridges.

“Continuing to trade has proved unsustainable.”

Adding to the difficulties is the two years of disruption caused by the “unexpected closure of The Barton”, (next to Thoroughbread Bakery) and the “unsightly” scaffolding in Church Street.