TRADERS have warned ongoing construction work to redevelop Frideswide Square is threatening their businesses.

Oxfordshire County Council began work on the £5.8m scheme at the north side of the square in September last year.

But businesses on the south side of the square yesterday said that since work started they have seen concerning drops in customers.

And there are fears that the next phase of work this summer outside the shops will only worsen the situation.

Amanda Suliman-Bell, owner of boutique shop Rainbow and Spoon, said: “It has effectively cut us off from the other side of the square and made access to our side very tricky.

“I previously had a lot of customers who came from Blackwells and the Said Business School who now have trouble getting across.

“I am concerned about what is going to happen over the next few months when the next phase starts. The council has said access will be maintained, but we need more information about how it is going to do that.”

The trader estimated her sales had fallen by between 30 and 40 per cent since September.

The work will replace the previous square layout with one roundabout by the station and two mini-roundabouts next to the Royal Oxford Hotel.

Cafe owner Annie Benadel of La Croissanterie said she wanted signs near Oxford Station so that people leaving would know the businesses were on the other side of the square.

She said: “Visitors going past won’t think about coming here if there is nothing to say we exist on this side.

“These works are affecting us a lot. The number of customers coming in has fallen by between 30 and 50 per cent and the council has told us to prepare for the next stage, which is going to be much worse.

“I do not know how we can possibly carry on like this, as well as paying rent and business rates, without help.

“I know the square will look beautiful when it is finished, but I worry whether we will be able to survive because of these works.”

The second and third phases of the works at Frideswide Square are set to start in July and will run until October, according to the county council’s website.

They will focus on the south side of the square and the entrances to Park End Street and the station, but the council said access to businesses and properties there will be kept open “at all times”.

Last week council officials held a meeting with traders to discuss measures to help them during the works. Ms Benadel said they were seeking more signs and relief from business rates.

County council spokesman Dominic Llewellyn-Jones said the council had put “a range of signs in place” and also advertised the shops by email and on social media.

He added: “The council appreciates large highway works can have a significant impact on those in the vicinity and as such we are working closely with all impacted businesses.”