THREE Liskeard business owners say their trade has been badly affected by a road diversion put in place while Castle Street is closed for gas main replacement works.

Belinda Hancock said there was such a lack of people calling into her coffee shop, Cafe Fleur, based at Goldenbank Nursery on Plymouth Road, that she took to the streets with a sandwich board to let everyone know she was open for business as usual.

Belinda, who runs the coffee shop with her friend Caroline Simpson, said the closure of Castle Street has led to a 50 per cent drop in her takings.

'The problem is the diversion signs on the Morrisons roundabout,' she said. 'Goldenbank Nurseries, from where we trade, is a considerable distance before the road closure, and we are accessible as normal, but drivers just look at the road closed sign and follow the diversion route.'

Alex Smith, of Fishing Mayhem, said: 'Wales and West Utilities should have put up signs saying we are still open, further back from the diversion signs.'

Meanwhile, Philip Carew, of Goldenbank Nurseries, said: 'Our important passing trade on which we rely has been completely lost because of these inadequate road signs.

'I urge everyone to support us – we are open for business as usual.'

A spokesperson for Wales and West Utilities, which is undertaking the works, said: 'At the request of local businesses we have provided further signage near Plymouth Road to inform road users that businesses on Castle Street are open as usual.

'These signs will remain in place until the scheme is completed. We are on schedule to re-open Castle Street on October 4.'