A Salford bar said it is looking forward to seeing the end of major engineering work that has closed a key stretch of tram line connecting the city.
Commuters have been unable to travel by tram on the line connecting Eccles with Media City and Manchester City Centre since 13 July to allow for large-scale track upgrade work.
The lengthy three-week closure has been part of a wider £150m programme to improve 6km of track, which will end next year.
While transport bosses have asked that people appreciate that the short-term disruption will make the network safer and more reliable, a Salford bar within walking distance of a popular tram spot has been hit by the closure.
James Bennett, one of the managers behind the popular Bee Orchid bar at Clippers Quay, described the Metrolink work as “a bit of a nightmare.”
The bar, with its suntrap beer garden overlooking the Manchester Ship Canal, benefits from a stream of after-work regulars from nearby Exchange Quay.
The 31-year-old said that custom has been steady thanks to the number of thirsty office workers popping in from the commercial hotspot, but said attendances at Bee Orchid’s entertainment nights have been hit hard.
“We do quiz nights and open mic nights on Tuesdays, alternating and for both of them we get regulars who come down but don’t live around here,” he explained.
“With the trams being off, and obviously you have to get a bus, it puts people off a little bit. So the last couple of quiz nights and the open mics have been a lot quieter.
“As soon as the tram work is done, I expect it to pick right back up. Hopefully on the first quiz night, everything will be back to normal.”
Meanwhile at the Odd Fellows Arms in Eccles, landlady Rebecca Smith said she sympathised with bars located further up the tram line but has not had her takings affected by the transport disruption.
“We are at the end of the line and in walking distance for most of our customers,” she said.
“Because we are very local, it’s not really impacted the pub at all.”
A replacement bus service has been operating on the routes hit by the tram closures.
Ahead of the works, Ian Davies, Network Director for Metrolink at TfGM, said the track upgrades will benefit commuters but apologised for any disruption caused.
“We’re sorry for the disruption,” he said. “We know it can be annoying, and while these essential upgrades take place, we will do everything we can to keep people moving.”
A TfGM spokesperson said: “This is vitally important work that will make Metrolink journeys quicker and more reliable once complete.
“This is one of the biggest track upgrades we’ve ever done, and it was always going to be disruptive for passengers given the scale of the job. We’re sorry for the inconvenience and are doing everything we can to keep people moving.
“We have been and continue to heavily promote the closure, to let people know in advance and give them a chance to prepare.
“Passengers are encouraged to allow extra time for their journey and to check the Bee Network website or app before they travel for the latest information, including about replacement buses.”
