Town centre traders have vowed to win back shoppers after a series of crisis talks with business leaders and council officials.
More than 30 business owners attended a meeting with Shropshire County Council officials on Tuesday afternoon to demand action, claiming on-going road works in Shrewsbury were killing trade.
Plans are now under way to lure people back into town, and shoppers are being warned to ‘use it or lose it’.
Traders have hit out at the county council’s handling of the situation, saying road signs advising people to avoid the town centre have had a detrimental impact.
Figures for the Darwin and Pride Hill Shopping Centres released this week show a drop in footfall of 20,000 people per week since Dogpole and St Mary’s Street were closed to traffic.
Julie Owen, from Flying Pig Presents, on Wyle Cop, said: “The message that’s going out to customers is that Shrewsbury is not a place to come.
“I know of some shops who haven’t taken a single penny all day. There are traders who haven’t taken a wage yet this year – that’s the reality.”
She said she was pleased with the outcome of a further meeting on Tuesday evening for Wyle Cop traders.
“There were lots of people there and we have come up with lots of ideas and things are in the pipeline. We are very confident because Shrewsbury is such a fantastic place as far as independent traders are concerned.”
Christine Yates-Roberts, owner of Old Park House townhouse accommodation in Abbey Foregate, said: “I know lots of business people and everybody is saying it’s crucifying the town – something’s got to be done. I know a number of people and they are all saying trade is way, way down. It’s a desperately worrying situation.”
Council managers have reassured traders that things will return to normal in four weeks when the pavement enhancement scheme along Dogpole is complete.
Jeremy Salisbury, principal engineer for the county council, said the contractors were working as hard as possible and were doing a very good job.
Phil Crossland, assistant director for transport and highways, said signs stating the town centre was closed would be altered and 14-foot banners would be put on lamp posts around the inner ring road urging people to ‘shop in the loop’.
Simon Airey, chairman of Shrewsbury Business Chamber, attended another meeting on Tuesday morning for chamber members to discuss the problems with council officers.