Roadworks are creating a 'dire' situation for the city store in Leicestershire

Craig Smith, 51, runs the Foxy Lots gift shop in Mill Street

BBC Craig Smith in his Mill Street gift shop with Christmas products in the background. — Craig Smith, 51, runs the Foxy Lots gift shop in Mill Street

A shop owner has raised concerns about Christmas trading, claiming roadworks in the city center have led to a drop in customers.

Residents have also said it has proven more difficult to reach parts of Oakham since work began in Brooke Road in July.

Restrictions have now been lifted for two hours a day to allow schoolchildren access, but Craig Smith, owner of the Foxy Lots gift shop in nearby Mill Street, said: “You can just tell it’s just not a busy street at the moment .”

Brooke Road will be widened and an entrance created for a new 40-home estate, with contractors Burmor Construction and Rutland County Council apologizing for any inconvenience.

From Monday 4 November, a footpath through the road closure on Brooke Road in Oakham will be open weekdays from 8am to 9am and 3pm to 4pm

Red road signs, traffic cones and metal barriers in Brooke Road in Oakham, with an excavator in the background. — From Monday 4 November, a footpath through the road closure on Brooke Road in Oakham will be open weekdays from 8am to 9am and 3pm to 4pm

To improve accessibility to the city center, an extensive bus service is offered for residents and shoppers.

Mr Smith described the situation as ‘serious’ and said his store should see more customers as the festive season approaches.

He added: “We are now heading into peak trading so all our Christmas products are out. We should really be seeing a huge increase now but we haven’t actually seen it yet.

Peter Comber, 85, said the roadworks were “a bit of a nuisance” for elderly residents

Peter Comber wears a poppy and flat cap for the roadworks on Brooke Road. — Peter Comber, 85, said the roadworks were “a bit of a nuisance” for elderly residents

Residents have also expressed their concerns.

Peter Comber said he and his wife Jill, 80, had a longer journey to reach the city center because Brooke Road was closed.

“Most of us (here) are elderly, and we have difficulty walking all the way,” he added.

Ms Comber believes the road closure “must have an impact” on businesses in Mill Street.

“You just decide not to go to this end of the high street; it’s actually too big of a journey.’

Heidi Kjeldsen owns a jewelry store on Mill Street, but says her business has not been affected.

Heidi stands at the entrance to her shop, wearing a blue top and a red poppy pin — Heidi Kjeldsen owns a jewelry store on Mill Street, but says her business has not been affected.

Heidi Kjeldsen has run her jewelery business, Heidi Kjeldsen Ltd, in Mill Street since 1998, but has not encountered any major problems so far.

“I find that people find their way here without too many problems,” Ms. Kjeldsen said.

“It’s annoying for them, I get that.”

She added: “People come to me with a repair or a question, so I don’t just rely on people walking past me.”

Older residents of the area had to take the long route into town, which also involved crossing the railway bridge in Braunston Road.

Blue and gray metal railway bridge. — Older residents of the area had to take the long route into town, which also involved crossing the railway bridge in Braunston Road.

Rutland County Council said the reopening of Brooke Road would be postponed until November 30 due to “significant issues beyond the control of Burmor Construction Ltd”.

The delays were caused by the felling of trees and the “discovery of several utilities” that were not mentioned in plans or documents, according to a statement from the municipality.

A statement from the council added: “Both Burmor Construction Ltd and Rutland County Council apologize for any inconvenience caused to residents as a result of the closure of Brooke Road.

“Regular users of this route will see a marked improvement in traffic and congestion once the works are completed, along with the construction of 40 much-needed affordable homes.”

The current arrangements for Brooke Road residents with pending parking will remain the same during the extended closure period.