Owner of Designs on Metal in Stowlangtoft fears closure due to A1088 Bridge Farm Bridge repairs
The owner of a well-known blacksmiths fears he may have to close the business due to a sharp decline in customers caused by ongoing roadworks.
Designs on Metal, based at a forge in Ixworth Road, Stowlangtoft, has been hit hard by the repair works on the A1088 Bridge Farm Bridge, which is expected to close the key road until Friday, December 20.
The project reached its two-week mark on Monday, and owner David Woozly said the business has seen a dramatic drop in customers since the road has been shut.
Normally, the forge welcomes 35 to 45 visitors every week - but last week, only two customers came to the business and both visits were scheduled before the roadworks began.
He said: “It’s a disaster. If it continues at this rate, we’ll have no choice but to close.
“I turned up at the premises last week and two vans were blocking the entrance so I couldn’t actually get through to the forge – so if I can’t get there, you can only imagine how it is for customers.
“Road closures have got to be done, bridges have got to be made safe, I understand that – but a five-month closure is pretty poor. I simply do not understand how these repairs can possibly take so long.”
Trading for 50 years, Designs on Metal has created numerous sculptures and designs in Bury St Edmunds including the statue of St Edmund on the Parkway roundabout, the metal wolf in Abbey Gardens, the giant A and metal bird sculpture on the Mount Road roundabout in Moreton Hall and several other notable pieces.
In addition to large commercial projects, the business also provides bespoke fencing, gates and various custom metalwork for private clients.
Mr Woozly took over the business three years ago after its previous owner, blacksmith Nigel Kaines, retired and briefly closed the forge for about a month.
“I just thought it was tragedy at the time,” he said.
“This is one of the last forges in Suffolk – and I couldn’t just let it close, but now it seems like there might be no other choice.”
He has since registered the business to claim compensation for loss of earnings, but he remains uncertain if it will be enough to prevent permanent closure.
Suffolk Highways’ project aims to secure the longevity of the bridge structure to ensure that it is safer for motorists going into the future.
However, with traffic being diverted via the A1088, A14 and A143, this has prevented potential customers driving passed the premises and viewing the metal work they have displayed out the front.
Forgemaster Kevin Baldwin, who has worked at the forge for almost 25 years, said: “It’s just such a shame. People just aren’t being drawn in because no-one comes passed anymore.
“It’s a traditional trade and we are a village blacksmiths, but with no one coming in to see us – it’s been really hard.
“We have to keep our fingers crossed at the end of the day and just keep going, and we hope that anyone who needs some nice and interesting things made out of metal will still reach out to us for whatever they need.
“From fixing lawnmowers to building giant sculptures, we will tackle absolutely anything.”
To find out more about Designs on Metal, click here.
Suffolk Highways was approached for comment and the full detailed diversion route can be found here.
The five-month closure on the A1088 has seen traffic diverted onto the A14 and A143 with temporary advisory speed limits of 20mph and 30mph in place on several routes to prevent rat running through villages.
These limits are be in place in Fen Road and The Street in Pakenham, The Street through Stowlangtoft and Hunston, Hunston Road in Badwell Ash as well as Badwell Road and The Causeway in Walsham-le-Willows.
For questions on the bridge replacement project, Suffolk Highways has established a dedicated email address – A1088BridgeFarmBridge@milestoneinfra.co.uk.
