SHOP owners are calling for more clarity on the major regeneration scheme in Cirencester town centre, as they continue to lose money.

Work on the £1.6m project to revamp the Market Place and surrounding streets began in February and revolves around further pedestrianising the town centre to make more space for markets and community events, while also improving the traffic flow.

It is due to be finished by November but many traders fear the scheme won’t be completed in time for the Christmas shopping season.

They say the project, which currently sees a number of road diversions around the centre, including the closure of Gosditch Street until the end of next month, has been poorly managed.

Gosditch Street bakery AJ Whiddett has seen takings drop by £100 a day since work began, according to owner Robert Whiddett, while the owners of nearby Limes beauty salon, Adele and Lorraine Barton, said clients have struggled to make appointments on time due to the road closure and a lack of parking spaces.

Stephen Whitcombe, retail director at Gardiner Haskins, said: “I understand they’ve done the work in stages to minimalise disruption, but I’m just conscious of how efficiently it has been carried out in terms of the traffic flow into the town and the confusion caused.

“It needs to be clearer that it is business as usual while the work is going on. When the top road was shut off it became deathly quiet and footfall certainly dropped off right across the centre.

“The diverted route was leading people back out of town and onto the dual carriageway, meaning they had to drive right back round, and I think it put people off coming in.

“The re-direction wasn’t good enough. Customers have complained about how some of the roads are part pedestrian and part road. You have a funny feeling as to whether you’re supposed to be driving along them or not, or whether a camera somewhere will get you.”

Mr Whitcombe shared the fears of many traders that the work will “eat into Christmas trade”.

“They’ve said the end of October but if it runs over it eats into Christmas trade.

“If there’s still disruption, people may just go to Swindon or Gloucester instead.”

Chris Roche, manager of menswear store Thirty-Six, echoed the concerns.

“Christmas trade is crucial to retailers around here, it makes or breaks the year,” he said.

“If the project runs late, only a couple of weeks, that will have a massive impact on the traders in town. I’m sure the council understands that and it will be finished as early as possible.”

A spokesman for Cirencester Town Council said: “Whilst we appreciate the disruption, we know that the wait of over 50 years since first talking about these changes, will be worth it.

“The scheme builds on the town’s success of independent shops, individual food and an incredible history.

“Works are currently on schedule and on budget, albeit we are now entering a crucial phase of the overall delivery.

“Milbrooke, our contractor, are a great team, who have been proactive and supportive in adapting swiftly to various challenges and ensuring that the scheme is delivered on schedule and within the budget.”

The final phase of the project, in the area at the front of the Parish Church, is set to start on September 19 and finish on October 31.