Trim business owner voice anger over water disruption

A Trim restaurant owner has revealed how she was forced to shut her door for a second time in just one week because of water outages.

Olivia Brown owner of The Olive Tree on Bridge Street says she's at her wits end with the constant supply disruptions which are costing her business untold amounts in lost revenue.

Residents and business in the Mill lane, Mill Street, Southfield Avenue, Church Lane, Loman Street and surrounding areas received notice from Irish Water last Thursday that rehabilitation works would see water supply disrupted from 8am until 6pm today.

"I had to close for the whole day today and last Tuesday was the same story, I had to close at 12pm because they turned the water off with no notice," said Olivia.

"It was a busy morning and then the water just went. When this happens, I have to turn off the coffee machine straight away because if the water is not going through the coffee machine the water is destroyed.

"I have no choice other than to close because once the tanks empty out I can't function, there are no cleaning facilities, I can't use the coffee machine. People come in then they leave if they can't get a coffee to go with their sandwich."

The business owner says the premises has been plagued with water outages over the last year.

"Usually there is no notice, today was the first time we got notice to say there would be a water cut off," she said.

"Then when you ring they still can't give you a proper answer as to whether it's going to be off for the whole day.

"Last year we had to close at least four or five times in the middle of the day with no notice because of water outages.

Olivia says being forced to close her doors and lose out on a day's takings has a huge impact on the small business.

"When I have to close I lose out on a whole day's turn over and then I have to pay my staff. When I asked them about compensation, they said they don't pay compensation unless they damage your building.

"The same day we got the notice we got the rates bill from the council and I thought why should I have to pay that when I have no water and have already lost out on two days' business.

"The food costs have gone up more than anything else. This morning I got an email from my supplier to say there is another increase on the way and that is just constant every week."

Local cllr Aisling Dempsey said:

"Loman Street will remain closed until 13th March unless Irish Water complete the much needed upgrade of pipes in the area in a more timely manner. I will continue to impress upon them the urgency in expediting these works in terms of traffic disruption but more importantly in terms of business continuity in the area.

"It is really unfortunate to see yet again businesses like small, family run cafes having to close at short notice. It will affect the business and our town long past the finish date of the works.

"We are seeing leak reduction works in the Dublin Road area causing water conservation notices as well over the last while too. We had hoped to see an eradication of these post the major issues we had in that area especially in the last quarter of 2022.

"While the Loman Street works are essential upgrade works, I stand with the businesses asking Irish Water to complete it quicker, and to avoid outages or at least provide more timely notices about them."

Irish Water has been contacted for comment