TRADERS plan to seek compensation – claiming roadworks have cost them custom and hit their profits.

Businesses in Corn Street, Witney, say trade was down by as much as 50 per cent after gas works forced the closure of part of the road, on February 22. It did not reopen until last Friday.

Traders on the town’s twice-weekly market say they have also counted the cost. Trader Martin Eldridge said: “The roadworks hit us hard as we missed all the passing trade.

“I would say we were down by 25 per cent.”

Doreen Green, manager of the South Oxfordshire Animal Sanctuary shop in Corn Street, said: “We lost thousands of pounds in business. It affected us really badly. We lost a lot of customers and a lot of money.

“The people who usually come up and make donations didn’t bother so we didn’t get anything in the shop.

“It wasn’t worth opening. Our takings were less than half of what we normally take.”

She added: “A lot of people still don’t realise the road’s open. Everybody has been affected very badly.”

Southern Gas Networks, which carried out the £70,000 repairs, has sent traders letters, explaining how to claim for compensation.

Millie Oxley-Webbe, owner of the Solan Goose sandwich shop, estimated she was 40 per cent down on profits.

She said: “The first week was exceptionally bad. It was like death out here; we renamed it Mourn Street.

“It has been pretty grim but hopefully business will pick up.”

Southern Gas Networks spokesman Duncan MacDonald would not divulge how many traders had sought compensation so far.

He said: “The project was essential work and we did try to cause the minimum amount of disruption.

“If any traders have concerns, please contact our staff directly. There is also a compensation pack we have given to traders.”

witney@oxfordmail.co.uk