Kevin Money of Gallery 39 in Godwin Court hasn't had a customer for two weeks. Ref: 73056-22THE first stage of building work which has closed an Old Town alleyway could be completed early.

Traders in Godwin Court, behind Wood Street, claim the temporary closure of Wood Street alleyway is affecting their income.

And they are unmoved by the prospect of an early end.

Repair work the first stage of the project began on October 4 and is due to pause on October 31 to avoid disruption over Christmas.

It will begin again on January 2.

After sprucing up the pedestrian alleyway, the plan is to build another shop unit, expected to be a hair salon. Shopkeepers who moved into Godwin Court this year say potential customers are forced to take alternative routes, by-passing their shops completely.

Colin Spirling, of developers Cowley Brothers, said that the work was ahead of schedule

He said: "I'm told it will be finished this week. In any event it has to be finished by October 31 that was the agreement with the council.

"Contractors Tonic Construction confirmed they were hoping to finish before the agreed date."

Charlotte Oldland, of Urban Glow, a tanning and beauty salon in Godwin Court, said: "Fair play to them for finishing early but we have still had three weeks with poor business. We have lost all our walk-through trade. Much of our business is from people passing by on their way to or from Wood Street.

"We are all brand new businesses struggling to build up. We're fighting against the odds."

Kevin Money, of Gallery 39, has had to lay off staff.

He said: "It makes no difference if they finish a few days early. This has been devastating. The day the alleyway closed my business collapsed. I had two vibrant weeks before it closed, and I haven't had a single customer for two weeks.

"This week I had to let my part-time assistant go because I couldn't justify paying her. It was the most awful thing I've ever had to do. I have written to the council saying that because they authorised the lane closure I have had no trade, so I'm not able to pay my bills."

Diane Gilpin, owner of craft shop Made By You, said she was experiencing some of the quietest days since she opened.

Ian Street, manager of Atwell Martin estate agents, said the walkway was normally a busy cut-through with lots of people wandering past.

"When the property market is a little quieter we need all the help we can get from people passing," he said.