Pub landlord's 'living nightmare' as National Highways plan two-year flyover

17 November 2023 , 16:10

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Chris Porter fears he might have to shut his local pub down (Image: KMG / SWNS)

Devastated business owners say they have been severely hit by a huge flyover since the National Highways launched improvements two years ago.

Cash-strapped locals, based in Stockbury, Kent, said they have seen a "significant" drop in customers since work began on the M2 Junction 5. They said the large build-up in traffic has caused people to avoid their pubs and shops like the "plague".

Chris Porter, who runs the town's community-owned pub, The Harrow, said it has been a "living nightmare" since the roadworks launched nearby. Residents bought the 200-year public house in 2017 after it was put on the market by brewer Shepherd Neame.

Matthew says people don't want to visit due to traffic (KMG / SWNS)

The community effort saw a team of 140 shareholders come together to invest between £200 and £20,000 to secure the £380,000 needed to keep the site. But the 74-year-old has stressed their boozer is facing “really serious consequences” due to construction. He told Kent Online : It’s a bit of a nightmare. The problems over the past eight months have been building. Getting people up here is so difficult. We had a thriving village shop and pub and now they have lost their custom. We have had a significant loss of intake, it is in the thousands.” The pensioner said locals have been "forgotten" about and warned the A249 is so fast that drivers will speed past the amenities. He said residents need financial help from National Highways.

Dave said his shop has seen a huge drop in customers (KMG / SWNS)

Matthew Brown, 27, is part of the family who runs MB Farms, says people are no longer turning up because of the traffic. Matthew, who helps the company deal with livestock, a butchery, farm shop and post office, commented: “People are avoiding coming here like the plague." Dave Tomsett, 66, has sadly seen his client base at his repair shop Tomsett Kent, plummet by a third since work started in 2021. He said he has "lost" customers and shared that it has been a "heavy hit". A spokesperson for National Highways said the agency has organised with its human resources and marketing departments to support The Harrow. They further said they invited Highways workers to use the boozer. The organisation said it has supported the area by hiring the cricket pitch and arranging drinks and a meal at the pub afterwards.

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Work started two years ago (Philip Drew / SWNS)

The spokesperson continued: “It is right that public organisations can be challenged on aspects of their work, but I would assure people that National Highways build roads in a socially responsible way, in a way where the legacy of our schemes remains a positive one; for the environment, the road user and those living and working nearby. We remain confident that we are delivering significant improvements to both safety and congestion on the M2 Jct 5 improvements at Stockbury as well as a huge boost to the regional economy.”

The Mirror has contacted National Highways for comment. The Harrow has since launched a fundraiser. The page can be found here.

Monica Charsley