Shops in Dundee city centre are being ”crucified” by roadworks, according to a local trader.
Paul Swadzba, of the Kilt Hire Company, said the store in Union Street has seen takings fall by 75% since the road was closed completely two weeks ago.
”It’s like a ghost town in the street. They have actually killed retail,” he claimed.
Mr Swadzba said that on some days last week takings were not even enough to cover wages.
”A very similar thing happened to our shop in Edinburgh when the council planked down tram lines and closed the road,” he said. ”People want to be able to drive past and see the shop and park their cars.
”We also have problems with deliveries. The van is having to park in the next street and it is really not practical.”
Mr Swadzba said he had understood that one-way traffic was to be allowed into the street during the work and that had been the case until very recently.
”Now no traffic is allowed in at all it is just completely blocked off.”
He added: ”We have lived through the downturn for X months and years and we have moved to a smaller shop, and now this.”
The Union Street works are part of the wider Dundee Waterfront regeneration.
A city council spokesman said that, although the roadworks will not be completely finished until later in the month, the total closure of Union Street will be lifted on Wednesday morning.