A frustrated County Durham cafe owner is worried about the future of his beloved business, due to roadworks opposite which he says are costing him valuable customers.
James Gardener created Bean Social on North Road in 2017, and although this year he should be celebrating his business' fifth birthday, he is instead bogged down by the prospect of closing down for good.
Durham County Council began regenerating their city centre bus station - directly opposite James' shop - just prior to the first Covid lockdown of 2020. And although works were scheduled to finish in March this year, delays have forced the completion date to be knocked back until spring 2023.
