Roadworks causing “absolute chaos” through the centre of Whitstable could leave high street firms up to £1 million out of pocket, shopkeepers believe.

Residents say travelling through the middle of the town has been a “nightmare” since Southern Water sealed off Oxford Street for sewer repairs.

Kim Foster, who owns Copperfields cookware shop, fears the project will cost his business thousands in lost profits - as the routes through Whitstable are as empty as they were “during the pandemic”.

He says trade at his High Street store was “90% down” on Tuesday - and that some businesses “haven’t taken any money in two days”.

“The logistics and organisation of the road closure and repair work has caused and created absolute chaos,” the businessman said.

“A week of this will cost the town a million pounds - it's a nightmare.”

Southern Water started the repairs on Monday, shutting Oxford Street near Co-op to the junction with Canterbury Road.

Oxford Street’s junctions with Cromwell Road and Clifton Road have also been sealed off while the works - which are due to end on March 24 - take place.

Vehicles are instead being diverted onto the Old Thanet Way and through Tankerton.

Shopkeepers think the disruption is driving potential customers away from their stores.

“I’m worried about how it’s going to affect my business coming up to Easter,” Lauren Stevens, the manager of Thirty Nine Restaurant in Oxford Street, added. “It could cost us thousands in trade.”

Town centre councillor Chris Cornell says the works are necessary.

However, he believes better planning “could have reduced the impact they have had”.

Susan Blaustone, the chief executive of Barton Marine in Swalecliffe, says she has told lorries providing her store with stock not to come while the “unconscionable” road closure is in place.

“The nerve of Kent County Council to allow yet another road closure which will cut business access for two weeks is unimaginable,” she said.

“It does not care about the livelihoods of shop workers.”

A spokesman for Kent County Council, which is the highways authority, says the roadworks were originally planned for the February half term, but due to complaints from locals area they were pushed back.

He stresses the authority has “engaged with local people and businesses throughout and informed them that these works are to repair a main to ensure sewage does not leak”.

“This will also ensure it does not cause further damage to our road surface, therefore preventing prolonged disruption in the area,” the official added.

“We recognise these critical works will cause congestion, which is why we have taken steps to revoke and refuse further permits for non-urgent roadworks that might add to the disruption.

“Officers have also suspended the no-right turn into Belmont Road and our inspectors will continue to monitor the progress of the roadworks.”

In a statement released last month, a Southern Water spokesman said: “We know our work can cause disruption and we apologise for any caused.

"This will also ensure it does not cause further damage to our road surface, therefore preventing prolonged disruption in the area..."

“This work is an important sewer repair.

“We always work closely with local stakeholders to minimise this including to schedule work in the best way possible.

“All our work is cleared with the relevant Highways and other council departments.”