Frustrated business owners say they are suffering a slump in trade after Southern Water closed off part of a busy High Street.

Sewer repair works in Herne Bay started last Tuesday and have already had a drastic impact on footfall in the town centre.

Chyna Ma, who runs the CM Beauty Academy and adjoining coffee lounge, says she is missing out on about £300 to £400 a week in revenue because of the closure, with the waterworks right outside her door.

“I am driving into work in a bad mood because I know the cafe is going to be absolutely dead, when it would normally be busy,” she said.

“It’s having a massive effect because people are simply not coming down this way.

“It’s hardly worth me opening and turning on the coffee machine when I know there aren’t going to be any customers.

“And I get even more angry when I look out the window and see no work actually taking place.”

A section of the busy high street spanning about 40 metres is shut off to drivers, but pedestrians can still get through.

The closure starts at the junction for Beach Street and continues towards Dominos and Empire hairdressers.

The long-established Busy B’s furnishing and flooring store is also bearing the brunt of the road closure.

Manager Tony Bennett said: “There’s been a definite drop in footfall down this way, which we rely on quite a bit for business.

“People look in the window and pop in to look at something and then they spot something else.

“We are also missing out on people driving past our window who might be prompted to come into the store by what they see.

“But what can we do except suck it up, because no one is going to give us any compensation?”

It is understood other utilities works in the area may be impacting the high street project.

A Southern Water spokesperson said: “Our teams are repairing a sewer at Herne Bay High Street.

“We’re sorry for the impact this is causing businesses and residents in the area.

“We’re currently digging to assess the condition of the sewer. Once this is complete we will have a clearer idea of how long the work may take to complete.”