The owners of the Tea Room at the end of Bangor Pier say they have been left “destitute” after repair work on the pier has forced them to close their business.
Bangor City Council announced that the Pierhead and Tea Room at Garth Pier would close from the 4th June due to health and safety reasons, following an adverse Health and Safety report. The Pierhead is likely to remain closed for nine moths as it is considered to be a danger to the general public.
In a Facebbok post on 31st May, the Tea Room announced: “We have been told today that The Tea Room has to be closed imminently as it is unsafe for ourselves and you the public to be inside or around the building.
“Our last day of opening is Sunday 3rd June.. and will be closed for 9 months minimum……we would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your loyal support and custom over the last 4 1/2 years…. Bangor Council you have ruined our lives…how you can treat people like this is appalling…now the battle begins.”
Tea room owners Nick Davies and Ceinwen Pughe have since told the BBC they have been left without income and were missing out on up to £900 a day in revenue, after originally being told the £1 million restoration work on the pier, which began last summer, would not affect them.
Mr Davies said: “They have left us destitute, we would have had the best summer ever.
“We have had such a dreadful winter it nearly finished us. We only started making money from the end of May.”
The couple estimated they could have made £900 a day at weekends and £500 during the week due to the recent hot weather, but have instead been left with £600 of unused stock.
The city council said the work was necessary to secure the stability and safety of the Pier for future generations to enjoy.
The Pierhead is likely to re-open in February 2019.
