Hannah Newman Cold Store is known to be one of the oldest and biggest Cold Stores in Takoradi, which employed over 80 workers.
The Cold Store for the past five (5) months has remained under lock and key rendering some people unemployed.
It is, however, alleged that the store has shut down due to the inability to pay taxes.
Traders speaking to Spice FM’s Kwame Offie on the issue, lament the toll of the closure of the cold store on their business.
It can be observed that workers and traders depend on the business for survival.
Taxi drivers, food vendors, pharmacists and other petty traders who operate around the establishment expressed concern over the collapse of the cold store.
A former worker who spoke on anonymity reveals that the machines used in operation have been out and do not believe that the store would kick back soon.
“The cold store has been shut down for the past 5 months now because the owner says, she pays so much as tax and cannot continue. I’m unemployed now because the store has been shut down.,” He said.
A herbal shopkeeper bewails the fall in sales since the store stopped operating. For him, the women who come to buy fish from the cold store are not coming anymore and that has affected sales.
He pleaded with the government to consider the taxes imposed on the cold store business as many people depend on it for their livelihoods.
A mobile money vendor said, “things are no longer the same as compared to when the cold store was in operation. There’s low withdrawals and deposits. Customers don’t come here anymore, and I’m making less profit.”
“I don’t make enough sales because of the collapse of the Cold Store. I sell around the store and business was doing good but it’s slow now,” A trader said.
