A BUSINESS owner has revealed her anguish at new council proposals to extend yellow lines in front of her shop, which she claims will have a detrimental effect on her trade.

Tracy Bowgett, 48, owns The Hub convenience store and Post Office on Fagl Lane in Hope. 

Flintshire Council say the proposal to implement the yellow lines is due to the lowered curb – however Tracy argues there is no need for the curb to be dropped directly in front of the shop.

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Mum of three, Tracy said:” If they put the double yellows slap bang in front of the shop, that just cuts off any parking for customers.

“It will be absolutely dire (for the business) if there’s no parking. They are providing some spaces in front of the terraces further along for the houses but not providing any parking for the businesses, for customers. It will affect the business trade which is supporting the Post Office so without the shop being viable, the Post Office isn’t.

“It will also affect jobs, I won’t be able to pay the mortgages, bills, staff wages.”

Tracy has also felt the pressure with the opening of the Co-Op on Hawarden Road, at the top of Fagl Lane.

“I’ve already had a big knock-on effect with the Co-Op opening, that’s slashed takings by over half, it’s had a real detrimental effect.  

“It does feel like I’m being victimised in a way.”

Tracy’s partner, John Bowgett, 53, said: “Originally, we weren’t doing cakes, coffees, and paninis.

“Since the Co-Op came, we’ve had to change our direction, we’ve had to go more into a coffee shop. She (Tracy) gets workmen who pull up in the morning and they’re only there for five or ten minutes whilst they get some food, but if she has yellow lines put in, she’s losing that trade too and these workmen won’t want to get parking tickets.

“My wife’s so upset.”

Flintshire County Council said: “The proposal to implement parking restrictions on Fagl Lane, Hope, forms part of a wider initiative aimed at improving active and sustainable travel journeys within the locality as well as improving safety within the vicinity of Castell Alun High School.

“The proposed restrictions outside of the Hub convenience store have been targeted to address historic issues of inconsiderate parking where vehicles regularly obstruct private accesses. Whilst every effort has been made to provide available parking, in light of concerns raised, the council will seek to adapt the proposals wherever possible to suit the needs of the local community whilst also ensuring the safety of all road users.”

John argued: “We’re not trying to stop what the council are trying to achieve, but on the other hand, it feels like they’re trying to stop my wife who is an established business who has been there for many, many years from trading.”

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