Cowley Road could grind to a halt in two weeks as traders shut up shop and march on the Oxford Town Hall to show their landlords they mean business.

Jewellery shop owner Bridget Wheatley

Traders have been fighting against proposed rent hikes by private landlords, some as high as 140 per cent, and the effects that months of roadworks have had on business.

The street, often referred to as the city's cultural quarter, is in danger of losing its quirky appeal, because so many of the independently-owned small businesses are struggling to survive.

They joined forces a few weeks ago to voice their concerns and have since launched a petition, which has attracted huge support.

The traders plan to deliver it to the Town Hall on Saturday, October 8, in a demonstration which will see many of them close their doors to show what the road would be like if businesses went under.

Some are also planning to drape black cloth over their front windows -- to symbolise they are mourning the losses their businesses have suffered.

Erica Steinhauer, owner of Bead Games and 1001 Bohemian Nights, said: "It's an exciting time for us now. Things are starting to come together. The level of support we have had has been tremendous.

"People obviously feel strongly about the Cowley Road and want to see it stay as it is. We urge anyone who feels concerned about the future of the Cowley Road to join us on our march.

"The date is provisionally set for Saturday, October 8. We will give more details nearer the time."

Celina de Godoy, owner of Galeria de Brasil, said: "I will be shutting up shop on the day. We're hoping this will have a positive effect and will put pressure on the council to listen to us.

"If we really get organised, I think the message will be so strong they will be forced to take notice. Everyone has been losing money and it's time to take action."

Ms Steinhauer added: "We want to show the city council and the private landlords that we mean business and have decided the best way to do this is to close our doors and march on the Town Hall to deliver the petitions.

"By closing our doors, even for a short time on a Saturday, people will get an impression of what the Cowley Road could be like if we all disappeared. We think this will make people sit up and take notice.

"We have to stick together on this -- if one of us accepts the rent rises it will defeat us all."

They will be meeting tomorrow to discuss how to take their plans forward.

Ms Steinhauer said she had calculated the total loss of trade she had suffered since the roadworks began -- and it came to £21,400.

"I had been avoiding looking into the figures because I feared it could be colossal," she said. "And it shows just how seriously this has affected us and how crippling huge rent rises could be."

Campaigners say they were pleased to hear that the East Oxford Action group has secured a £2,500 grant to give the businesses a Christmas lift.

Latibul Islam, business support officer for East Oxford Action, told the East Oxford Parliament: "We want to give the 'new', post-roadworks Cowley Road a kick-start and give the businesses a boost in the run-up to Christmas. We want to help raise their profile, as they have all suffered a considerable drop in takings while the work has been going on."

The money will be used to promote Cowley Road as a festive shopping spot.

Ms Steinhauer said: "We welcome the support of East Oxford Action and hope we can really turn Cowley Road's fortunes around."