Well-known Wodonga takeaway shop Carv'n It Up is closing with its owners largely unable to recover from the sustained period of roadworks in High Street. Father-and-son operators Graham and Stephen Sessions will shut the Wodonga store for the final time next Sunday after confirming plans to expand its Albury shop. Carv'n It Up has sold takeaway roast dinner packs from 88 High Street since 2014 after opening its Albury store within the Aldi supermarket complex on Young Street four years earlier. It is located in the section between South Street and Elgin Boulevard which was impacted by roadworks in early 2018. Graham Sessions said they traded through this period and hoped to rebound when the roadworks moved south between Elgin Boulevard and the water tower earlier this year. "It was an absolute disaster for those three months," he said. "The losses continued after the works finished here and continued on down the bottom end (between Elgin Boulevard and the water tower) with people shying away and going elsewhere. "We waited for the road to open down the bottom end to see if that what would make any difference, but it hasn't." IN OTHER NEWS: Carv'n It Up's demise in Wodonga also coincides with a long-term lease on its building being up for renewal after the landlord allowed the family-run business to continue on a month-by-month basis in recent times. "We've done everything we possibly could to stay open," Mr Sessions said in reference to measures including reducing staff. But, rising power costs and sky-rocketing prices for meat were also contributing factors. Mr Sessions confirmed the expansion of the Albury store by taking over the next door tenancy. There will be no job losses from Wodonga closure with employees moving across to Albury. Wodonga Council chief executive Mark Dixon said it was disappointing to hear a business was shutting. "We are really excited to see significant growth in food businesses in the CBD in the past 16 weeks," he said. "Following the completion of roadworks in April 2018, we saw a lot of positivity and investment in the northern end of High Street. "With the completion now of the southern end, we are seeing more business activation and interest in the CBD. "The council is continuing to field inquiries and working with real estate agents for a range of potential businesses."
TOUGH CALL: Wodonga's Carv'n It Up co-owner Graham Sessions will close the business next Sunday after five years in High Street. Picture: JAMES WILTSHIRE
Well-known Wodonga takeaway shop Carv'n It Up is closing with its owners largely unable to recover from the sustained period of roadworks in High Street.
Father-and-son operators Graham and Stephen Sessions will shut the Wodonga store for the final time next Sunday after confirming plans to expand its Albury shop.
Carv'n It Up has sold takeaway roast dinner packs from 88 High Street since 2014 after opening its Albury store within the Aldi supermarket complex on Young Street four years earlier.
Graham Sessions said they traded through this period and hoped to rebound when the roadworks moved south between Elgin Boulevard and the water tower earlier this year.
"It was an absolute disaster for those three months," he said.
"The losses continued after the works finished here and continued on down the bottom end (between Elgin Boulevard and the water tower) with people shying away and going elsewhere.
"We waited for the road to open down the bottom end to see if that what would make any difference, but it hasn't."
Carv'n It Up's demise in Wodonga also coincides with a long-term lease on its building being up for renewal after the landlord allowed the family-run business to continue on a month-by-month basis in recent times.
"We've done everything we possibly could to stay open," Mr Sessions said in reference to measures including reducing staff.
But, rising power costs and sky-rocketing prices for meat were also contributing factors.
Mr Sessions confirmed the expansion of the Albury store by taking over the next door tenancy.
There will be no job losses from Wodonga closure with employees moving across to Albury.
Wodonga Council chief executive Mark Dixon said it was disappointing to hear a business was shutting.
"We are really excited to see significant growth in food businesses in the CBD in the past 16 weeks," he said.
"Following the completion of roadworks in April 2018, we saw a lot of positivity and investment in the northern end of High Street.
"With the completion now of the southern end, we are seeing more business activation and interest in the CBD.
"The council is continuing to field inquiries and working with real estate agents for a range of potential businesses."
