Local Jeweller Reflects on Four Week Road Closure That Dampened Business in January 2025
18 Feb 2025
Independent and multi-award-winning jewellery business Bradley’s Jewellers York is shining a spotlight on the recent closure of Low Petergate – a typically high-footfall street surrounding York Minster - and the impact this has had on trading throughout the month of January.
Low Petergate is an important shopping street in York city centre, connecting hotspot locations like York Minster with the Shambles – a popular pedestrianised Medieval street and tourist destination. The road was closed unexpectedly on January 5, 2025, with signs appearing on New Year’s Eve without forewarning to local businesses. It was scheduled to remain closed until January 31 to address a sub-surface sinkhole and a collapsed sewer.
Bradley’s Jewellers York Owner, Kay Bradley, comments,
“Low Petergate is usually bustling with visitors from Friday through Monday as tourists visit for long weekends in our historic city. The road closure essentially made the entire street unpassable and uninviting; it was like the tap had been turned off. Our naturally occurring footfall disappeared overnight. It was devastating.”
Before this, Bradley’s Jewellers was anticipating strong January performance thanks to various marketing initiatives, including its conversation-starting Fabergé x Bradley’s Jewellers York Christmas Robin Egg Objet launch in November 2024, the promotion of its York Daffodil-inspired competition for the York Ice Trail in February 2025, and the unveiling of its spring-themed exterior displays in early January. Sadly, the latter was concealed behind orange bollards, denying returning and new visitors the Instagram-worthy moments they enjoy.
“There’s no denying we missed out and lost all momentum,” Bradley says. “Footfall was strong, and sales were positive in the period between Christmas and New Year, with some great wins in the first few days of January. Our emphasis on securing great business in January, typically a quiet month for all retail jewellers, was destroyed in the blink of an eye.”
Although initially scheduled to end on January 31, the closure was extended due to a sudden cold snap and the discovery of another sinkhole, which needed immediate repair. The road reopened with all ‘road closed’ signs removed on Thursday, February 6.
Crucially, this is not the first time Low Petergate businesses have had to weather extended road shutdowns. The road was closed in February 2022 for sewer works. It was also restricted from October 2022 until July 2023 due to structural issues with one of its buildings. Further closures were announced in May 2024 for telecom upgrades. On this most recent occasion, however, temporary barriers restricted the flow of people along narrow footpaths, encouraging many residents to choose alternative routes when navigating the city.
Looking ahead, Bradley is even more determined to diversify the methods she uses to communicate with customers in case of another road closure later in the year. She explains: “This has taught me some important lessons as a business owner. Passing footfall is our leading source of paying customers, so other strategies must be in place if this can’t be relied upon. Aside from our website, we are focusing on email marketing, WhatsApp communication, and in-person events at third-party locations to expand our influence away from our ‘home base’. This is the only way our business will survive another road closure of this nature.”
Bradley is keen to talk to other local businesses who may have suffered in a bid to share strategies for coping with long-term building works and road closures. To share your insights, please contact Bradley’s Jewellers York at infobradleys@btconnect.com or +44 (01904) 655 235.
Source: Bradley's Jewellers, York