SHOP owners near the proposed cinema site in Cirencester feel they have been left in the dark by Cotswold District Council over the future of their shops.

Several independent business owners complained this week after workmen from the county council sprayed paint on the pavement and dug up the street near Brewery Court without first warning traders.

Hilary Stewart, owner of independent clothes shop Jungle, previously wrote to the district council to complain about the plans and has a petition in her shop from the Park Community Group opposing the development.

In her letter she asked the council why there had been so little consultation and how the proposed 110 units of accommodation would deal with students bringing cars without a car park.

She added: “A lot of people don’t really realise the scale and the size of the proposal. People come here because it’s a local, little, independent shop and because it’s in a little market town.”

Spokesperson for the Park Community Group Corinne Lamus added: “The Park Community Group exists to support the community, the environment and the people of Cirencester, but we feel this development will do more harm than good.”

Carl Smith, owner of The Wendy House, has run his shop for 19 years and is worried about the future of his business.

He said: “We’re on the proposal but we were never told about it. I don’t even know the future of this shop.

“For the last amendments we did get a letter but most of the information we got was from the Standard or speaking to people around and outside the shop. On the whole there’s not a lot of communication.

He added: “Retailers are either leaving or choosing not to renew their leases due to the uncertainty.”

Emma Jane Rowe, owner of The Boutique, said: “I’m quite disappointed about how the council has kept us informed. Builders were digging outside the shop last week which affected business quite a lot.

“We still don’t know what’s going on. I have had to make a contingency plan as they don’t tell us anything.

“The communication has been appalling to be honest. Without small businesses we wouldn’t have a town centre, would we?”

A spokesman for Cotswold District Council explained that works on the streets were the responsibility of Gloucestershire County Council.

He said: “We strongly recommend that local businesses consult the applicant should they wish to express their concerns about survey work or other issues which are clearly not the responsibility of this council.

“We have met all of our obligations regarding this application – it has been widely advertised and, to date, we have received almost 70 representations including a significant number from local businesses.

“Public notices relating to this application are still in place and we will continue to accept any comments anyone wishes to offer. There is, as yet, no date set for the application to be considered but we will write to those who have submitted representations as soon as a date has been confirmed.”