Business worries eased as Longridge to Chipping road partially reopened

Longridge Road is now partially open and businesses can be accessed. Pic: Blog Preston.

Businesses on the edge of Longridge are breathing a sigh of relief after the road to Chipping was partially reopened following resurfacing work.

The full stretch of Chipping Lane and Longridge Road, from its junction with Inglewhite Road, Longridge, to Hesketh Lane, near Chipping, was due to be shut from 21-31 March, with some retailers fearing the worst.

However, following the initial full closure on Friday, 21 March, the stretch between the Alston Arms and Derby Arms pubs was reopened.

For Michelle Unsworth, the owner of So Plants, which is based at Little Town Dairy, opposite to the Derby Arms and Moss Side Lane, the improved access could not come soon enough.

She said: “It [the road closure] was a disaster on Friday but we got onto the council and asked them to things.

“As a retailer we rely on customer footfall, especially with the good weather meaning people are coming out again and heading to nurseries like ours.

“The car park was empty on Friday and people were ringing to ask if we were open, which we were, so the fact people can get to us again is a huge relief.”

As well as So Plants being affected, Little Town Dairy and Little Town Farm Shop were also potentially impacted, as well as the nearby Derby Arms pub and restaurant.

Longridge Road is expected to remain closed, apart from access for residents, from just past Little Town to its junction with Hesketh Lane, near Chipping, until 31 March, or earlier if the work is completed before that date.

Subscribe: Keep in touch directly with the latest headlines from Blog Preston, join our WhatsApp channel and subscribe for our twice-a-week email newsletter. Both free and direct to your phone and inbox.

Own a fractional luxury property