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Neil Egan at Simples Café, Trinity Square, Hull, says his business is suffering from a loss in trade due to building works. See Ross Parry copy RPYSIMPLES : A cafe owner is not in the celebrating spirit after he says a #25m makeover for the UK City of Culture is costing his business a week. Neil Egan has seen his venue, Simples Café, overshadowed by machinery as the space is given a facelift in preparation for celebrations. But while most people are looking forward to Hull, East Yorks., taking the crown of UK City of Culture in 2017, Neil says his business may struggling to last until then. The business owner says he is now unable to seat many customers outside and passersby can no longer easily walk in off the street. Neil said: “The nearest passing trade can get is 30m away. From that distance, they can’t see if we’re open or not. We weren’t expecting or prepared for this kind of drop in trade.