As a business proprietor located directly opposite the Bancroft I've watched the painfully slow progress being made. World Class Stratford is costing me a huge financial loss from the lack of visitors to that area of town plus the added inconvenience due to the clouds of dust covering the windows and sills of my business on a daily basis. The Bancroft was due to be started last October but was delayed by months due to the Stratford Voice opposing the felling of the Trees. This delay now means that throughout peak season this area will be a building site and our businesses that totally rely on this time of year to get us through the non profit making winter time will be hit very hard indeed and yet we still have to pay our extortionate rent to greedy landlords and also the high rates to a council who do not see it justifiable to compensate us in any way. I would like to complain to the council but at the same time am afraid to voice my opinion in case I ruffle any of the wrong feathers which could result in people in powerful positions causing me grief. I do think the Bancroft will look very nice once its finished, Im concerned however that it may resemble some chic cosmopolitan city garden space which is all very well and good in a cosmopolitan city but in a countryside town like Stratford it may not be in keeping with its location. I will hold judgement until it's completed. The timescale for the project however I've heard has been extended for another three weeks which now takes us into September for completion which means I lose the entire Summer trade. If my business doesnt survive this period then I don't care how beautiful those gardens are.
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