A Solihull hairdresser was driven to confront roadworks contractors after they set up outside her salon without warning during the vital pre-Christmas trading period.
Standing in the Way of Disruption
Paula Burnham, the 62-year-old owner of Luxe Hair Design and Gents Barber Shop on Hobs Moat Road, arrived at work on Thursday, December 18, to find a scene of chaos. Vans, traffic cones, and barriers had been placed directly outside her business, occupying up to eight parking spaces her clients rely on.
"It was completely out of the blue," said Paula, a resident of Castle Bromwich. With the last few days before Christmas being critical for revenue, she was furious at the lack of consultation. She even attempted to physically obstruct the workers, hoping they would "give up and leave", but her efforts were unsuccessful.
A Critical Blow to Festive Trade
Paula explained that the timing could not have been worse. "The run-up to Christmas is critical for our business," she stated. "We rely on the business at this time of year, so the lack of parking is a huge issue for us."
Her customers, who often pop in for a quick haircut, were left struggling to find anywhere to park near the salon. "This has severely impacted the parking and the access to our business," Paula added. "At this critical time of year, we could absolutely do without it."
She claimed Solihull Council had provided "no warning whatsoever" and that her attempts to contact them were met with delays. "I was told somebody would get back to me but it could take up to ten working days, which is absolutely no good to me," she said.
Council Response and Overnight Resolution
After Paula warned the highways team about the damage to her passing trade, the contractors completed the work overnight. A spokesperson for Solihull Council later told BirminghamLive that the contractors were conducting "some routine works for public safety" for just over a day.
The council spokesperson contested the scale of the disruption, stating: "During most of this time, they took up just two of the many parking spaces available." However, for Paula Burnham and her clients during the busiest week of the year, the impact was significant and poorly communicated.
The incident highlights the ongoing tension between essential infrastructure work and the survival of small businesses, especially during peak trading seasons like Christmas.
