Puurs-Sint-Amands (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – A DIY store in Puurs-Sint-Amands will shut down for at least eight months due to extensive roadworks—owners say it’s the “final blow” to their business.
Manager Erwin Rosiers admits that it might then close forever, as reported by RTV.
“We fully understand the construction and no one is to blame. But our customers are going elsewhere in the meantime; this is the final blow for us.”
Due to road and sewer construction, Robert Verbelenstraat in Puurs-Sint-Amands, Belgium, will be totally closed to traffic on August 11. The Rosiers DIY store, the only business on the stretch where work is being done, and traffic between Bornem and Puurs will both be significantly impacted by the work.
“Our customers can no longer reach us, so we’re forced to close,”
says manager Erwin Rosiers.
“We have companies that come here daily to buy their materials. They’ll have to do that elsewhere in the coming months, so we’re losing customers.”
For at least three of the eighteen years that they have been in this building, road construction has been ongoing. It’s the last straw for us now that they have eight more months of work planned. They can’t compensate for the lost money, so they can’t go on.
Rosiers never imagined his career would end this way.
“I’m 59 now, and the plan was to keep the DIY store open until I retire. That won’t work anymore. If all the businesses go bankrupt and we have to start from scratch after the renovations, that’s not feasible. This is the final blow.”
They are aware that these tasks are necessary, of course, and neither the municipality nor Pidpa, which is doing the work, are to blame. They’ve talked about it and there’s nothing to blame, but it’s just not working for them. Businesses are given €2,000 as a one-time inconvenience payment for road construction, but this does not cover the losses.
Will the store’s closure permanently change shopping options in Puurs-Sint-Amands?
The closure of the building materials store in Puurs-Sint-Amands due to prolonged roadworks and its possible permanent shutdown is likely to significantly alter local shopping options. As customers are already going elsewhere during the closure, residents and builders may have to rely on alternative stores outside the immediate area, potentially increasing travel time and inconvenience.
If the store closes permanently, this could lead to a lasting gap in accessible building materials retail within Puurs-Sint-Amands, similar to how the loss of key local stores in other communities has led to hardships for residents who lack easy transport options.
Local competitors may see increased business, but overall, the community is facing reduced convenience and choice for these essential goods until a replacement store opens or other solutions emerge. No reports indicate a nearby alternative will immediately fill the gap.
