BEWDLEY traders have insisted it will be business as usual when vital repair work to St Anne’s Church begins on Monday – despite initial fears companies could take a hit.

Work to the town’s church on Load Street will see the road partially closed until September 16.

Traders initially voiced concerns over the impact of the closures, leading Worcestershire County Council to delay the project from an initial date of May 9 to establish traffic diversions.

It was feared the works could be the final blow for businesses following the closure of the town’s last bank in January and losing parking spaces during the construction of the new medical centre.

Yet defiant company bosses now insist trade will continue as usual over the summer, although they admitted their disappointment at the rescheduled dates of the works.

John Beeson, the Mayor of Bewdley and manager of Bewdley Farm Shop, said: "The timing of the road closures are unfortunate.

"The town’s traders have had a tough time of late and to have these works scheduled for the entire summer season is disappointing.

"I understand that the work needs doing but if it could have been left until September it would have had less of an impact.

"Interestingly rainfall levels in September and October in Bewdley are very similar to July and August.

"The emphasis now is on telling everyone that Bewdley is still open for business.

"The town’s traders are a resourceful group and we, the Town Council, will be working closely with them to do anything in our powers to help."

Dave Carr, co-owner of Bewdley Brewery, added: "The Bewdley traders group are unhappy that the work will take place during the busy summer period.

"All shops, pubs and restaurants will be open as usual whilst work is in progress, and at least two new businesses will be opening soon.

"A new street market will also be launched in July so there are many reasons to visit Bewdley this summer."

Work to the roof and parapets of the church have been planned to take place when records show there is least rainfall, so that water ingress into the listed church building is minimised.

A grant of £181,000 from the Government’s Roof Repair Fund will carry out the costs.

Robert Smith, of St Anne’s Church Property Group, said: "Repair work to the roof and other high-level masonry has been identified as being urgently required by our architect.

"Scaffolding is required to protect road users below whilst the work is proceeding.

"Because there is no pavement around much of the church, the scaffolding will need to be placed in the road which means a partial closure of Load Street in one direction.

"We have worked closely with Worcestershire County Council to take into account local people’s concerns about temporary traffic lights and parking.

"We are really sorry for the inconvenience that this will cause local people but we have worked with the highway authority to minimise disruption.

"The church is located in an awkward location and there is no simple solution to undertaking this type of repair work without closing parts of the road surrounding the church."

Partial road closures in Load Street mean Lax Lane and the High Street will remain a one-way system.

In both phases, all westbound traffic will use Severnside South, Lax Lane and High Street.

During the first phase up until July 24, traffic eastbound will flow as normal, while traffic southbound will flow along Load Street, Severnside South, Lax Lane and the B4190 Red Hill.

In the second phase from July 25, traffic eastbound will be diverted around the south side of the church, reversing the direction of this one way stretch of road.

Parking at the Dog Lane car park is open as usual during the works, while free parking is also available on a Thursday on Gardner’s Meadows.