Local businesses are urgently calling on Christchurch City Council for support, as roadworks near the stadium are impacting their livelihoods.

William Whiteman, owner of Barber Land Barbershop, said his shop, along with several other family-owned businesses on Lichfield Street, is facing drastic drops in customer numbers.

Whiteman’s shop opened in July 2021.

However, since the roadworks began, business has decreased by 50% to 80%, with Whiteman saying that on Wednesday, he only had four customers – a sharp contrast to the 16 he would normally expect.

Whiteman said the ongoing disruptions, including noise, dust, and limited parking, are driving people away.

“The parking situation along with congestion and the aggravation of navigating roadworks and detours has meant a lot of workers in the area are opting to work from home again.”

The drop in foot traffic is not only affecting Barber Land but is also hurting the hospitality businesses across the street, many of which are family-owned and heavily reliant on local support.

“The Uber drivers aren’t even accepting orders for food pickups as they know how slow it is to get in and out of here,” Whiteman said.

“They can’t park nearby, and by the time they collect the order and deliver it, the food’s already gone cold. It’s affecting their ratings, so they just don’t take the orders.”

Well-known businesses in the area, such as Domino’s, Sals Pizza, and Dux Central, were also experiencing difficulties he said.

Whiteman pointed out that even a new restaurant nearby, still under renovation, is likely facing substantial challenges before it can even open its doors.

The local businesses have sent a formal letter to Christchurch City Council, pleading for support.

In the letter, they explained that if the situation doesn’t improve, many of them will be forced to close their doors by the end of the year.

The letter said, “Our businesses have already endured Covid closures and the financial recession we are still currently in.”

The roadworks are part of preparations for the completion of the new stadium, expected to continue until October 2025.

Access to on-street parking was cut off by road clones, even where there was no roadworks.

Business owners are asking for financial assistance or grants to help them survive the disruptions. Whiteman, determined to keep his business going despite these challenges, said, “My reserves are gone, and I don’t have the money to keep topping the business up.”

In a short statement, Christchurch City Council Infrastructure General Manager Brent Smith said “we have just received a copy of the letter from the businesses.

Once we have considered the letter, we will talk to the businesses in the first instance and then be in a position to provide further comment.”

There was a public carpark across the road, though it was frequently full, with the few available spaces often reserved for Kathmandu or One NZ.

Additionally, its main entrance on Lichfield Street was blocked due to ongoing roadworks.