FREDO Pies at Frederickton, sometimes seen as the ‘bellwether’ shop for measuring the impact of the Pacific Hwy bypass on Kempsey businesses, has reported a drop in trade of an average of 30 per cent.
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The business suffered a drop in trade of more than 60 per cent over Easter, but has since recovered.
Fredo Pies owner Nola Turnbull said the business had planned for the loss of trade but it was still a shock to the system.
“It was like someone had turned off the tap, it was a bit frightening actually,” Mrs Turnbull said.
“You get used to having the business operate in a certain way and knowing what the returns will be, and then suddenly it has changed.”
Mrs Turnbull said Fredo Pies had opened a shop in Nambucca run by her son and his wife and son as part of their strategy to make up for losses caused by the bypass.
Another shop is planned to open in Wyong on June 1.
One of the major casualties of the loss of trade has been a reduction in staff hours.
Mrs Turnbull said they have managed to avoid reducing staff numbers.
“We have more than 30 employees all up and they are the heart and soul of the business,” she said.
“We have done everything we could to avoid letting anybody go completely but there has been a reduction in hours.
“The staff have been good to me and the business and I want to look after them.”
Mrs Turnbull said the novelty of the bypass will wear off and people will return to their old habit of stopping off at Frederickton for something to eat.
“I am optimistic about the business and about Kempsey in general,” she said.
“We have some problems here but no more than most other similar places.”
Mrs Turnbull said the support of the local community had made up for some of the loss of trade.
“I have a lot of people comment that they have started coming here now because when they drive past and feel like a pie they can actually get a parking space for once," she said.
“Their support has been invaluable.”
