LICENSEES have slammed the county council for failing to notify the public that their businesses will remain open when a major road is closed for repairs.

Grane Road, which runs through Haslingden, Belthorn and Jackson Heights, will close for one week beginning on Monday followed by another weekend later in the month and a two-week period in August.

Pubs and restaurants will remain open when the road is closed as they can still be accessed from alternative routes, but the amount of passing trade they receive is still likely to be reduced.

Lancashire County Council, who will carry-out the repairs, have put up signs to inform the public that the road will be closed, but failed to mention that businesses on the busy route will remain open.

Cathryn McGurk, director at The Pack Horse, Elton Road, in Belthorn, said: “This is going to affect us a lot. Half of our business will be lost because we won’t get any passing trade. They don’t realise we still have bills to pay.

“The council haven’t put up any signs to say people can still get to our businesses. They said signs will go up on Monday, but the damage will already be done by then.”

Brian Hodgkiss, landlord at The Dog Inn, Belthorn Road, Belthorn, said: “In today’s climate it’s tough. Trade is up and down, so we don’t need something else blocking it. We won’t know how badly it will affect us until the road actually closes.”

A Lancashire County Council spokesman, said: “The reason we did not do a letter drop in Belthorn is because people can still get in and out of the village. Following communication with the landlord of The Dog Inn, we have agreed to make alterations to signs on Grane Road and they are with our engineers in the sign shop.”