RESIDENTS of Usk have called for better organisation for next year’s Velothon after this year’s event saw local businesses hit by losses of trade.

Velothon Wales, which took place on Sunday (22nd May) and passed through Usk, caused traffic issues and significant drops in businesses for parts of the town, despite assurances from organisers that the event would have less of an impact.

13,000 amateur and 120 professional cyclists took part in the event which saw many Monmouthshire cyclists completing the gruelling 140 kilometre route. A number of residents of the county volunteered to ensure the event ran smoothly and local people enjoyed cheering participants along the way.

Views of the event’s success have differed largely, with a number of business owners complaining about loss of trade but residents praising the response to the day.

County councillor Brian Strong told the Beacon that while the event seemed to run smoother there are still a number of issues to iron out in the future. “The event itself seemed to go well, the main problems came from shop owners and their loss of business,” he said.

“A number of businesses suffered much-reduced takings on what would be many businesses busiest days, with no hope of getting recompense for their lost trade.

“It seemed to be better organised, with more stewards. The issue was that a number of stewards weren’t local themselves.”

Cllr Strong anecdotally spoke of a steward from Swansea who was unable to give directions to Chepstow due to not knowing the area.

Tim Strong from the Glen Yr Afon stated that the hotel had a number of cancellations.

“Although the road directly outside us wasn’t closed it was a no-through road and people didn’t feel as though they could access us.

“It’s very frustrating. We have nothing against cyclists at all, they bring a lot of trade to us throughout the year, but it was a bit of a no-go this year.”

Nick Clothier from Usk Car Company stated that the event had a significant effect on his business. He said: “A Sunday can be a very busy day for us, more so than a Saturday. A large proportion of my customers travel as they would have seen the vehicles advertised on line. With the Velothon Road closures, as I’m sure any sane minded person would understand, closed roads and motor vehicle sales do not go together.

“Typically on a Sunday we could sell five cars at any value up to £20,000 per car, so potentially losing out on up to £100,000-worth of sales.

“Just like last year I feel that there has been zero consideration for business’s surrounding the road closures. Many argue the event will bring an influx of people to towns who in turn will spend money but reality it doesn’t work that way. The only people that I feel truly benefited out of the event were the people who are interested in the sport, the participants and the organisers. For everyone else its a ‘like it or lump it’ attitude in my opinion.”

Some however claimed that the Velothon had in fact brought increased trade to the town as a whole. Simon Key of the Nag’s Head public house in Usk commented after the event: “The Velothon has been a great event and I’ve enjoyed welcoming cyclists and spectators into the pub today.

“We’ve benefited from increased business in recent weeks as many cyclists have been visiting Usk as part of their training. Some riders shouted out to us that they didn’t have time for coffee and tea cakes today! Next year, I think we can make even more of the opportunity by selling hot dogs and creating a party atmosphere in the streets as cyclists go past.”

Cllr Bob Greenland, Monmouthshire County Council’s cabinet member with responsibility for leisure said: “Thanks so much to everyone who was involved and supported the event. It was wonderful to see so many local people taking part and raising money for good causes. Monmouthshire has a fabulous community of dedicated volunteers who contributed to make the event a success. 

“In Usk, Velothon volunteers donated spare food from the feeding station to the residents at the town’s Plas Mawr sheltered housing complex. From a business and tourism perspective local enterprises have a massive opportunity to hold events to attract cyclists and spectators during the build-up and on the day itself.”

He added: “I took the opportunity to listen to residents who would like to see even more of a party atmosphere next year. That is certainly something I’d be happy to consider to make a great event even more enjoyable.”

There were calls last year for the Velothon to be improved by senior MCC councillors and Monmouth MP David Davies among others.

Mr Davies hit out at Edwina Hart AM, then Minister for Economy, Science and Transport, after she refused to consider compensating businesses who lost thousands of pounds in trade due to road closures.

The Monmouth MP said the Welsh Government was distancing itself from responsibility with the “feeble excuse” that it was unable to offer compensation because it had not organised the event.