OUTRAGED traders said takings were down by up to 98 per cent following the closure of a busy street in Worcester city centre.

Friar Street was shut between the Vue cinema and the junction of Union Street, from 10.30am on Saturday until 9pm yesterday to enable a crane to shift steel into an empty unit.

Friday's Worcester News revealed shops owners were concerned about losing business, and on Saturday their worst fears were confirmed.

Becky Sutcliffe, owner of clothing store Lynne Craig, said takings were down by 98 per cent.

"It's been dreadful," she said.

"We have had no passing trade at all. The majority of my week's business is done on a Saturday. There are only a few weeks left until the sales start, so obviously I'm trying to maximise this time."

Mrs Sutcliffe said regular customers usually parked in the street, where cars can wait for 45 minutes. However, parking was not permitted over the weekend.

Judy Owen, owner of organic beauty product shop You, said takings were down by 75 per cent.

She said she apologised to customers who were having treatments in rooms which backed on to the area where workmen for Amber Projects Management Limited were operating.

"It's been a disastrous day and I'm so distressed," she said.

Caroline Edwards, owner of Simply Gifted, said she could not see why the road had not been closed on Sunday and Monday instead.

Worcestershire County Council said it had no legal reason to stop the work, but would look at taking action against the contractors if it had breached conditions, one of which includes giving businesses "suitable advance notice" of work.