Businesses in St Lawrence say they are struggling for trade due to a road closure for emergency gas works.
St Lawrence High Street is closed off at the roundabout, junction with Newington Road, and has road closure signs up at the Nethercourt end of the road.
The works are to repair a gas leak.
A diversion is in place via High Street, Solar Court, Newington Road and back to the High Street.
The closure has resulted in a huge drop in customers for Farley’s furniture, Tesco Express and the Bargain Booze garage.
Farley’s manager Claire Bain said: “We are really suffering with no footfall with the roundabout at St Lawrence being shut. We are a local family run business that has been trading for 91 years and we have never known footfall to be so slow.”
Mum Moira, who also works at the store, said: “This is crippling business for Farleys, Tesco and the garage. It’s awful.
“The Tesco car park is empty, people are using the garage to turn around and our vans can’t get into the yard unless they go all the way around Manston Road. Yesterday we had just one couple in the shop and that was only because they were walking past.
“We have put signs up on the roundabout to say we are open for business as usual but don’t know if they will stay there.”
A staff member at the garage said the closure was “a nightmare.”
According to the SGN website the road could be closed until March 6.
SGN say: “We’re working to keep local homes and businesses safe and warm by carrying out urgent repairs to our gas network.
“If you smell gas or are concerned about gas safety, please call the National Gas Emergency Number on 0800 111 999.”
