If you've visited Devonport recently, you'll have noticed a bit more scaffolding than usual along Victoria Road. There are two separate sets of works underway, and while both are great news for the village long term, they do have an impact on the businesses sitting behind them.

The Princess Building restoration is well underway, drawing on the original 1912 architectural drawings of the building, once known as Hardley's Building. It's a significant project and a lovely reminder of the craftsmanship and character of early 1900s Devonport. Seeing these heritage buildings being properly looked after is something the whole village can feel good about, and the team behind the restoration is documenting the journey beautifully. You can follow along at @princessbuilding_revival on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok if you're interested in the history and the process. It's well worth a look. There's also scaffolding up at 36 Victoria Road, affecting the Hospice shop and nearby businesses.

Both projects are positive for the village, but we also know that scaffolding can make businesses harder to spot, harder to access, and easier to walk past without realising they're still very much open. For small businesses that rely on foot traffic and visibility, that can make a real difference to their day.

So this is a call-out to locals and visitors alike. Please keep popping in and supporting these businesses while the works are underway. All of them remain open, with pedestrian access maintained. This includes Art In My Wardrobe, Time Capsule, Hospice Shop, Louise Simpson Hair Studio, and Flying Rickshaw, Hung Viet, Buona Sera, and Nicolino restaurants. A visit, a booking, a takeaway, a browse, or even a quick "I saw you were still open" all make a difference. These are real people running real businesses, and a bit of scaffolding shouldn't mean they miss out on the support they deserve.

One of the things that makes Devonport special is the strength of its independent business community. The village has always been a place where people know the shop owners by name, where you pop in for one thing and leave with a story, and where businesses genuinely look out for each other. That spirit is exactly what we need right now while these works are underway. If you're coming over on the ferry or driving across the bridge, Devonport is absolutely still open for business. The scaffolding is temporary, but the businesses behind it have been here for years and plan to be here for many more. They'd love to see you.