TRADERS in Droitwich have said they are worried about the effect a major development of the town will have on their businesses.

The plan, officially announced earlier this week, will see Salters shopping centre given a dramatic facelift with a new two-storey M&Co department store and a Muffin Break coffee shop.

However, a row of shops will be demolished to make way for the new building and the work is estimated to last between 10 and 12 months.

Such disruption spells trouble, according to some nearby traders who are worried people will avoid the centre during building work.

They are also concerned because the route into the precinct from Victoria Square will initially only be accessible through a pedestrian tunnel and later will be closed off for three weeks. WHSmith manager Tracey Stanley said: "I think it will affect trade as the whole of our end of the square will be cut off from the precinct. People walk through our shop to St Andrew's Square and they won't be able to do that now.

"Also, it's not the best time of year through summer into the winter. It's our busiest time.

"I appreciate the benefit of the work being done but there's going to be a period of time that will be really bad for the whole trade in Droitwich."

Thomson manager Helen Ward said: "Will people be prepared to walk all the way round to get to us? I think they will go to Worcester or Bromsgrove instead.

"We noticed it was quiet when they built Carphone Warehouse and this time they are knocking down and rebuilding."

"I suppose it has to be done. Droitwich needs a bit of a revamp but we will suffer."

Cancer Research manager Rachel O'Sullivan said: "We've got to make the best of it. We'll see in the long run whether it was worth it."

However, New Look's deputy manager Gemma Longden said she did not think her shop would be affected.

Centre manager Kevin O'Hara said: "While this is happening, the centre won't be as neat and tidy as we'd all like it to be, for which we would like to apologise in advance.

"However, during this time it's still very much business as usual, so please bear with us while we transform ourselves into a clean, bright refreshed shopping centre."