Pedestrians were left astounded by a mysterious “sinkhole” that appeared on Lordship Lane and “killed” footfall for one business.
The “massive” two-by-two metre chasm, opened in the ground outside SMBS Foods, 77 Lordship Lane, in the morning on Friday, September 30.
A shopkeeper at SMBS Foods said: “A contractor came down and said there is a two-by-two metre sinkhole. I don’t know how the pavement has been held up.
“It’s killed business – we’re talking by 20 to 30 per cent. When people have to walk around obstacles they’d rather not come in.”
While the hole may look small on the surface, it leads to a far larger chamber beneath.
The shopkeeper said a contractor told him an underground clay pipe had burst and had eroded the ground over time.
A shocked passerby said: “Imagine putting your foot through that! It’s not safe. Makes you wonder how many more might appear!”
Workmen have filled the hole with cement, finishing the job on Tuesday morning (October, 11), according to Ghazi, a barber at Jazz Barbers, Lordship Lane.
Describing the hole as “massive”, the barber said: “Only finished this morning – it took like a week. It didn’t actually affect business – maybe traffic a bit – but business has been alright because there was enough footpath for people to get past.”
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Records also show that Southwark Council were responsible for the repair works but they have not responded to requests for comment.
Some utility companies, like Thames Water, offer compensation to businesses that are adversely affected by maintenance works.
The News has asked Southwark Council if they also offer compensation to businesses who lose profits due to roadworks.
According to online records, the hole caused a lane closure from 8am on Tuesday October 4 until 5pm on Thursday October 6, while workmen did repairs.
