Businesses have blamed a controversial revamp of a Norwich roundabout for a huge drop in trade.

Shops in Heartsease are feeling the pinch three months into the £4.4m project to make safety improvements on the roundabout and surrounding roads.

Some have reported losing as much as 50pc of their income, prompting fears they may struggle to survive the eight months the scheme will take to complete.

Sue Burgess, the assistant manager at Dreams bridalwear store in Plumstead Road, said: "The road closures have cut our passing trade by almost 100pc.

"We had lots of Black Friday deals on and this time last year we were absolutely heaving but we are empty.

READ MORE: Heartsease roundabout revamp branded "a fiasco"

Eastern Daily Press: Dreams Bridal in Plumstead Road has had a big drop in footfallDreams Bridal in Plumstead Road has had a big drop in footfall (Image: Owen Sennitt)

"The signage is terrible which has meant customers have struggled to find us and have been left going round in circles if they are not familiar with the area.

"No solutions have been offered."

Alison Birmingham, county councillor for Crome ward, said: "Businesses are feeling the pinch, some shops have had their trade drop by 50pc.

"It is a convenient shopping centre with lots of variety and it would be a shame if any of them went bust."

Eastern Daily Press: The £4.4m project is expected to be completed by AprilThe £4.4m project is expected to be completed by April (Image: Denise Bradley, Newsquest)

It has led to calls for compensation due to the loss in trade but Norfolk County Council, who are responsible for the roadworks, has said they have no legal obligation to do so.

Councillor Graham Plant, Norfolk County Council’s cabinet member for highways, infrastructure and transport said he "understands the frustrations felt by those in the immediate area and that they will continue to do everything they can to flag up that businesses are open as usual".

Eastern Daily Press: Family-run business Great Eastern Models said business has more than doubled since the first lockdownFamily-run business Great Eastern Models said business has more than doubled since the first lockdown (Image: News Quest)

Anne Martin, of Great Eastern Model Railways on the Norwich side of Plumstead Road said: "It has been a problem, there is no denying that. This is one of the major roads into Norwich and footfall has gone down.

"But you can still get here so please, please come and see us."

Engineers will down tools for the Christmas period from December 23 before starting up again on January 4.