Games will hit town business
Richard Cutcher • Published 16 Jun 2012 16:00
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Richard Micallef and his staff have been trying to embrace the Diamond Jubilee spirit, but the disruption has cost the company money.
A SALON owner fears Olympic disruption will cost him thousands of pounds after heavy losses during the Diamond Jubilee.
Richard Micallef has owned the Artwork Hair Salon, in St Leonard's Road, for three years and is angry that the council and town centre bosses have not done more to prepare small businesses for the Games.
Thousands of spectators filled Windsor town centre when the Armed Forces held a magnificent Military Parade and Muster in honour of The Queen on Saturday, May 19, but while jubilant crowds marvelled at the spectacle, Mr Micallef had £1,500 worth of pre-bookings cancelled.
The 42-year-old father of three said: "We were getting call after call from regular customers who were unable to get into the town centre. Saturday is our busiest day, so I had all my staff in to work.
"Obviously we closed for the Diamond Jubilee Monday and Tuesday and had a skeleton staff at the weekend. We can't afford to keep closing."
Around 30,000 people are expected to descend on Windsor each day from July 29 to August 11 for the Olympic rowing and canoeing events at Dorney Lake and Mr Micallef has not ruled out taking drastic action.
The salon has tried to embrace the Games and the Diamond Jubilee with a colourful shop window display.
He said: "I am tempted to shut up shop for two weeks and go on holiday."
Windsor Chamber of Commerce has previously voiced concerns that there are no planned drop-off points in the town centre for the shuttle buses taking spectators from the Slough, Windsor and Maidenhead stations to the Olympic transport hub at the racecourse, in Maidenhead Road.
Councillor Simon Dudley, the Royal Borough's lead member for the Olympic Games, said: "Advice for local businesses has been a key element of the Royal Borough's preparations for the Olympic Games at Eton Dorney and we have worked with Games organisers LOCOG, local chambers of commerce and town partnerships to run well-attended workshops to highlight how businesses can prepare for the Games and make the most of the opportunities available."
The council is recommending businesses visit www.getaheadofthegames.com for more help and advice.
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