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Portsmouth businesses impacted by temporary closure of pavilion

Local business owners are feeling the impact of the temporary closure of the Union Bank and Trust Pavilion in Portsmouth.

PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WVEC) - Local business owners said fewer people are stopping by their establishments after the Union Bank and Trust Pavilion closed earlier this month.

City Engineers in Portsmouth found a structural problem at the venue and had to either cancel, move or reschedule several concerts.

READ MORE: Concerts moved, rescheduled, cancelled because of structural problem at Pavilion

"It seems like Portsmouth can't catch a break," Stefanie Brown said.

Bier Garden owner, Stefanie Brown, said the recent problems at the pavilion is hurting local businesses like hers. As of now, seven shows were affected by the structural problem.

"On concert nights we have waits all the way out the walkway. It's just people everywhere and now we aren't having that on those nights," she said."

With the rescheduling and moving venues, Brown said potential customers are watching the concert in places like Norfolk and Virginia Beach, and spending their money in those cities instead of Olde Towne.

Brown said, "We feel it. We definitely feel it."

A city spokesperson said crews are in the process of removing the canopy. City leaders said the venue will open for the season on or before June 30th.

"I don't have a whole lot of confidence right now, because I'm not sure when the next show is going to be, or how long it's going to take to fix this," Brown said."

13News Now reached out Mayor John Rowe. He said safety is his number one goal, and the Union Bank & Trust Pavilion will not be closed for the whole summer.

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