Businesses in the city centre say Metrolink engineering work have cost them millions of pounds - and may even have damaged their premises.

For the last 18 months, tram officials have been carrying out road work on Cross Street as part of a new city centre line, known as the Second City Crossing.

But long-established restaurant Grinch announced its closure at the weekend and blamed the disruption for chasing away its customers.

And other neighbouring businesses have also claimed that the engineering works have damaged their trade, causing noise and disruption and even fears of structural damage.

Metrolink bosses have apologised for disruption, said they’d been working with the retailers - and promised the completed route would bring more people and trade into the city.

(Image: Gary Louth)

Michael Pendlebury, who runs James Personal Tailor, a family business since 1973, which is located on Cross Street said he was concerned about the impact the work could have on his building - although there was no evidence of any immediate long-term damage.

He said: “My major concern is the buildings. We have a private landlord and when they have been working on this road, I’ve felt the building physically shaking, dust falls from the ceiling. This is an old building, it felt like a bomb going off.

“What happens in 20 years when there’s a major problem and it can’t be traced to Metrolink? When we raise it with Metrolink they just dismiss it.”

The business does not rely as heavily on passing trade as other shops - but Mr Pendlebury said his takings have been down 20 per cent since the work began.

(Image: Gary Louth)

Elsewhere, Deepak Yadav, manager at Chaophraya restaurant on Chapel Walks, claimed the works had cost them £1.5m in footfall.

He said: “It’s had a major impact, footfall has reduced tremendously - we’ve lost nearly £20,000 a week.

Bosses at Sam’s Chop House and Tom’s Chop House have also spoken in the past about he impact on footfall - and Cross Street Unitarian Chapel minister The Rev Cody Coyne has spoken of the disruption too.

Nearby, Sam-Charles Millward, manager at Belstaff clothing store on King Street, said they had lost customers who can’t be bothered to get to the shop past all the works.

(Image: Gary Louth)

“On a typical Saturday we used to make up to £15,000 - now we’re making around £3,000. It’s massive.

“The main problem is that people just don’t want to be sat in traffic - King Street isn’t accessible and it’s mostly because of the works on Cross Street. Even for me walking to work a 10 minute journey takes 20 - you are directed like cattle. WE’ve had a few flyers from TfGM but nothing has really been done, and there’s not enough communication.”

Zuzana Scholes, manager at DKNY on King Street, said: “Traffic is down. Before Metrolink we’d have around 100 people in a day and 300 on Saturdays.

“At the moment it’s anything between 20 and 70 on a week day - and 100 on a Saturday. There has been digging, dust and disruption, and it’s not good for a luxury store.

“The council and Metrolink were initially not so bad when the work was right outside - however we’ve found them challenging in terms of getting us advertising that business is as usual. They should also have introduced free parking to help us.”

The Second City Crossing works started in January 2014 with the Cross Street engineering work beginning that August. The route is due for completion next year.

Delays were caused when more than 100 bodies had to be exhumed outside the unitarian chapel before work,including replacing a 600ft Victorian sewer, could progress on the £165m project to boost the city’s tram capacity.

Metrolink director apologises for disruption

Peter Cushing, Metrolink Director for Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), said: “We’ve been working very closely with the council and city centre retailers to make sure we minimise the impact of the 2CC works as far as we can for business owners and their customers.

“We’re maintaining pedestrian access and have worked closely with businesses to make sure they are fully signposted through highly visible, hard-to- miss signs along the route.

“We’ve also worked closely with contractors to ensure appropriate measures are in place to reduce noise and disruption – as far as they can for a construction project of this size and complexity – in line with the code of construction practice.

“The Second City Crossing is a major transport project and integral to the ‘Grow’ initiative to future-proof the city and support its long term economic growth.

“Ultimately, 2CC will bring real benefits to the thousands of people that come into the city centre by tram every day through more flexible, frequent and reliable tram services, making it easier to travel into, and across, the city and connecting more people with jobs.

“I’d like to apologise for any disruption caused by these essential works to transform the transport infrastructure for our growing city.

“The end is in sight and I’d ask residents and businesses to bear with us as we enter the final stages of the project.”

TfGM have been approached for additional comment regarding whether any businesses would be compensated.