Traders say months of building work for a newly-opened department store has left them facing ruin.

Shop owners in St Ebbe's Street, Oxford, claim that builders working on the new Bhs store have caused such a mess in the street that shoppers avoid it and trade has slumped as a result.

Although the Bhs store has opened, work will continue on the site until Christmas.

The owner of womens' designer clothing shop Devious, Mark Evans, said all the shops nearby were fed up with the disruption.

"I have nearly gone bankrupt several times because of this.

"There is no passing trade because people walking down Queen Street think St Ebbe's Street is closed - it's such a mess," he said. He added: "We pay top money for our shops, but at the moment we are getting nothing back. Building work is not going to be finished until December so our Christmas trade is going to be ruined for the second year running."

Mr Evans' concerns were echoed by staff at the nearby John Anthony store.

"It just seems that Bhs is taking the mickey.

"Although their shop looks lovely at the front, we still have a bomb site down here," said one staff member, who asked not to be named.

"Builders are leaving stuff on the road all the time and we have had our windows splashed with cement several times.

"It's not on, especially for a shop like ours where presentation is vital."

Bhs was unavailable for comment.

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