Angry independent retailers along Derrychara Link in Enniskillen, who operate in the shadow of three multiples, have hit out at the authorities on their failure to do anything with the problem of flooding at the roundabout at Erneside. The flood waters has built up along the front of their premises, and, despite the efforts of staff from the Rivers Agency, were still high yesterday.
Some several businesses there report lost trade since the floodwaters 'backed up' from the River Erne last Thursday, forcing a couple of them to close their doors because customers could not access their shops.
Melvin Schofield who, along with his wife, Agnes, operates The Oaks Furniture, was scathing about the 'buck passing' on the part of the authorities.
"You contact one person and they pass you on to somebody else. We are small fry because we are independent businesses and we don't have any clout."
He claimed that a scheme undertaken by Roads Service a number of years ago that was intended to prevent the flooding had failed to deliver on that promise, to the benefit of one multiple.
"We were promised that if we suspended our business for a period of six weeks while they closed the road there would be no more floods", Mr Schofield added. "On Monday, a man from the Rivers Agency called at the shop and told me there was nothing they can do and that the flood was likely to rise further. They seem to be trying to keep the traffic going in and out of Asda."
The Scholfields' call for a reduction in their rates was repeated along the line of shops some of which were still open for business.
Mark Wilson of Wilson Lendrum and Weir, who sell motor parts, reported a 'very quiet' Saturday, and he too felt that the traders along the Link road were being victimised.
"We need a rates' reduction because this seems to happen once a year and it affects the business for a good week to 10 days before you get back on track. Saturday is our busiest day but, with the floods, the passing trade would not know we're here. Those that do know us come in from the Tesco end, but we are losing out."
So too is Stephen Griffiths of Hanna's Toyworld.
"I have been in business for the past seven years, we have had three floods and this is the worst. It definitely has affected business. We were down on Saturday and I closed the shop on Sunday because I didn't think it was worthwhile.
"I really, really hope that the flood starts to recede today (Monday) because I just can't carry on. This is my harvest and if I don't make it in the next couple of weeks or week-ends, it isn't good."
Staff in the Enniskillen Carpet Centre reported things as being quiet since Friday, and that delivery vehicles had to reverse up a back alley instead of going out via the Erneside roundabout where the flood water is deeper.
On Monday, The Fabric Library was closed but, in nearby Erne Electrics, it was mostly business as usual.
The manager, Karen Walmseley noticed the first sign of flooding on Thursday morning but on Friday morning the flood waters were so deep that she had to climb a wall to get into the shop.
"A few drivers tried to drive through but they got stuck. I was in here myself on Saturday morning and there was at least one other car stuck, but this (Monday) is the worst it's even been. The big lorries could come in and out, but definitely not today.
"Customers can't get in and, definitely, we would have lost custom, especially on Saturday which is a big day for passing trade."
Karen said the flooding was 'always a problem', especially after heavy rain, and she too felt that the raising of the roundabout at Erneside had made matters worse.
