A RESTAURANT manager has said if more passing trade could access businesses under the railway arches, the strip would become a crucial money-making hub for Worcester – in a row over locked gates.

Rupert Davison, manager and head chef of Burger Shop, in Cherry Tree Lane, has voiced his support for a bid to have gates behind The Hive unlocked to allow for more footfall.

As reported yesterday, The Arch Rivals pub owner Mike Davis described the strip as a “dead end” which was hampering trade for the likes of himself and Mr Davison.

Mr Davis said he had been assured by premises owners Network Rail when he moved in in September that the gates would be opened by the end of that month.

Burger Shop opened in April 2017, and Mr Davison said: “For us, it’s been 18 months of graft to build the customer base we’ve now got.

“We took a risk coming here – it’s a fantastic space and with the arches otherwise derelict, having businesses down here brings some life into the area.

“It’s a really nice independent hub for Worcester,” he added. “Or it will be.”

He went on to say, regarding all the strip’s businesses, “it’s important for us to stick together”.

“We try to cross promote – we send people down to Mike for a beer after they’ve eaten here, for example.”

He said: “All the businesses down here support the local economy – buying from local farmers and brewers. It’s all more business we can give back to the city.”

Mr Davison said he believed a sticking point regarding the opening of the gates related to having extra lighting and bollards installed first.

He said on one occasion, the gates were left unbolted and so Mr Davis opened them up, creating “instant footfall” with numerous people walking by for a brief period before a security person locked them again.

Other businesses under the arches include Method Coffee Roasters, Fit3Sixty Rise gym and Print & Design.

Martyn Griffin, of Print & Design, has been based there since 2006 and said he’s “not surprised” the gates have still not been opened.

“The gate probably will be opened but no-one knows when – there have been some pathetic excuses and there’s no real reason.

“It’s all the politics – there’s Network Rail, the council, the university and The Hive all involved – there’s too many boxes to tick.”

He said Print & Design moved to the strip around the time The Hive was opening, with the hope of attracting passing trade as back then the plans had it as an open pathway.

“90 per cent of my business is through email, so I’m not reliant on footfall – but it would obviously help me.”

He added: “I don’t blame Network Rail – the rep that I see has always been good to me. But I think it’s got something to do with council grants – it’s all politics, I’m sure, but it’s frustrating.”

A spokeswoman for The Hive previously told the Worcester News that both the county council and university, along with other partners, are working to “ensure all appropriate measures are in place before the gates are opened to provide a safe route for pedestrians”.

Network Rail did not provide a comment before we went to print.