Business owners claim a decision to close off two nearby roads over half-term will 'destroy' trade.

Cattle Market Street and Orford Hill are to be closed off to traffic until next weekend due to road and utility works.

But traders on Timberhill fear it will put-off people from driving into the city and using their businesses.

Phil Cutter, landlord of the Murderers, said his lunch-time food takings had already dropped by 30pc in the past three years.

And he claimed the planned work over the half-term period would cause footfall to decline even further.

'The thing that frustrates me the most is that the council has not told any traders about what is going to happen.

'Half-term is not a great time to carry out this work, and doing it at the same time as Cattle Market Street will destroy this part of the city.'

A spokesman for Norwich City Council said the Orford Hill work was being carried out by Triio on behalf of National Grid.

It is due to take five days from next Monday and will be to replace a gas main.

The spokesman added that it was up to the those carrying out the work to publicise any information about what was taking place.

Meanwhile, the council has had to close the northbound lane of Cattle Market Street until Sunday, October 30 to move a traffic island.

Mr Cutter said the halfterm period was traditionally one of the busiest periods for local businesses.

It starts on Monday and lasts for a week until children go back to school on Monday, October 31.

Raymond Joscelyne, owner of Design House Norwich, also on Timberhill, said: 'From our point of view, there is so much [road work] happening here all of the time, that it is becoming a fact of life.

'But hopefully the end result will be good for everyone.'

Are road works severely impacting upon your business? Call Luke Powell on 01603 772684