Castlederg: Businesses say regeneration construction work impacting trade

A shop worker in County Tyrone has said ongoing construction work forced them to close for several days because of a sharp drop in customers. Harold Moore, who works in The Pet Store and Urban Barn giftware in Castlederg, said when the works were taking place outside their premises they had to shut their doors temporarily. "We closed and went home, it was pointless," he said. Derry City and Strabane District Council said a meeting would take place this week to address concerns raised. The work is part of the Castlederg Public Realm regeneration project which is part of the wider Derg Active Scheme. The £6.5m project is funded by the UK Government Levelling Up Fund and council. More than £5,000 of that money was put towards improving the Diamond area in the centre of the town and its surrounding areas. Moore said it was great to see money being spent on the town but the work had been very slow. Wee Buns Café, which is located in the centre of the town, is currently surrounded by the works, with no clear sign of when they will be completed. Erinn Duffy, who helps to run the family-owned cafe, said it was becoming increasingly difficult to manage the business and the works were affect