THE owner of a Stourport charity shop is demanding compensation from Severn Trent Water, claiming that his store’s takings halved during major roadworks in the town.

Alek Krstic, joint owner of SOS Animal, which raises funds for the care and protection of malnourished animals in Majorca, said last year’s month-long Gilgal roadworks had hit them hard.

Road closures in The Gilgal area had taken place while Severn Trent Water renewed a water main, Central Networks replaced underground electricity supplies and Worcestershire County Council improved street lighting.

The Gilgal roadworks finished a week earlier than planned, on October 15, but Stourport traders claimed the works had deterred people from visiting the town.

Mr Krstic said they had been promised compensation for any impact on trade but Severn Trent Water now refused his application, putting the loss of takings at his shop down to a “seasonal downturn”.

He explained: “It is an appalling situation. From the moment the roadworks started our takings went down by 50 per cent.

“We had many meetings and they promised faithfully that if money was lost due to the roadworks they would compensate. This was obviously to keep us quiet while the roadworks went on. Now the work is finished they are not interested.”

Mr Krstic admitted some businesses near his store in Lombard Street had been compensated by Severn Trent Water.

But he claimed his store had been treated unfairly and they were only just starting to recover. He explained they relied on donations that could then be sold on and, because of the roadworks, they had been unable to restock.

Mr Krstic said last year they sent a total of £25,000 to Majorca but this year the figure could be reduced to £15,000. He added they were all volunteers and all money raised went to the charity, other than the funds necessary to run the store.

A spokeswoman for Severn Trent Water said: “We understand that our essential works can be disruptive, which is why we offer a loss of profit compensation scheme to traders who believe they have been adversely affected as a direct result of our works.

“Each claim is assessed on an individual basis and compensation is given when sufficient evidence has been produced to back up the claim.

“With regards to our works in Stourport, all agencies involved worked together to minimise the disruption experienced by road users and local traders and road closures were only implemented following consultations, which ruled out any other options.”