A six-week road closure has wreaked havoc on village businesses – with one warning they may have to lay off staff to stay afloat.

The 291 Sturry Hill, near Canterbury, is home to a number of independent vendors, including a butcher's shop, a farmer’s store and a hairdresser.

But a stretch of the road has now been closed between Sturry Court Mews and Popes Lane, leading to a huge drop in footfall.

It will remain shut until September 3 while utilities are connected up to the new Woodlands housing development off Sturry Hill.

Shopkeepers have told KentOnline the closure and misleading signage have cost them tens of thousands of pounds in just the first 10 days of the disruption.

Oliver Moore, who runs the Butcher of Brogdale Canterbury, located just north of the closed-off area, fears he may have to take drastic action to ensure his business survives.

He says road closure signage does not make it clear that his store is still reachable, with motorists travelling from Herne Bay told access is “only up to Sweechgate”.

“Sturry Hill being shut has virtually cut our trade in half,” said the 23-year-old.

“We’ve gone from doing £50,000 a week, down to £30,000 to £35,000, which for a small family-run business is quite a hit.

“I hope we don’t have to lay off staff for a few weeks, but if that is what we need to do to survive then that is what will be done.”

Mr Moore says the butcher’s shop has tried to rely more on online orders and catering to help balance the books, but sadly the farm store next door does not have that option.

“It’s been terrible,” said Joanna Miles, the shopkeeper at Broad Oak Farm Shop.

“We rely on passing traffic, but since the road closure only half as many people come in. We’re getting like 50 to 60 people a day – we were on 130 to 140.

“If things stay the way they are we might have to close the shop down for the month.”

Mr Moore and Ms Miles both agree the main issue is misleading signage.

“I think the problem is that for everyone coming from Herne Bay they’re seeing a sign that says the road is closed after Sweechgate so they don’t bother coming down here,” added Ms Miles.

Mr Moore says he has reached out to Kent County Council to try to get the signs changed, but nothing has been done.

“The signage systems just haven’t been organised properly,” said Mr Moore.

“The council has had a shrug-off attitude for the whole thing.”

While the closure is in place, Stagecoach’s Triangle and Number 6 buses are both running diverted routes.

KCC says the work and signage is being looked after by a private company, Power On Connections.

The firm’s managing director, Neil Fitzsimons said: ”We are extremely sorry for any disruption faced by the residents and local business whist these essential works are ongoing.

“These essential works are being undertaken by Power On to provide a power supply for a new housing development at Broad Oak Farm in the local area.

“The works comprise of the installation of a high voltage power circuit installed in 2 cable ducts from the junction of Sturry Hill/Island Road heading northbound on Sturry Hill towards and new substation position at No2 Broad Oak Farm.

“As agreed with KCC Highways, our works started 22nd July and are scheduled to complete on 3rd September.

“We issued letters to local residents and businesses to provide a much notice of the works as possible.

“We will ensure that the works are completed as soon as practicably possible to enable the reopening of the road and removal of the diversion.

“We will have staff available in the works area 24/7 until our works are complete and also have provided local residents in the works area with their direct telephone numbers should they need any further assistance.”