HARD-HIT traders in Coopersale say their businesses will be ruined by the sudden six-week closure of the main road through their village.

The National Grid have shut down Coopersale Common while they lay a new gas pipe to Epping, but shopkeepers say they were never consulted and only found out about it from a sign which was attached to a lamppost last week.

Marie and Micky Newman, who co-own the Garnon Bushes, are furious that they were not told earlier as the pub has only just re-opened after a two-and-a-half week refurbishment.

Mr Newman said: “If we'd have known before we would have delayed the refurb. We're very worried about the closure as it will go on right the way through the World Cup, when we were expecting to do well.

"We have a lot of regulars from Thornwood and North Weald who will struggle to get here.”

Mrs Newman added: “It could finish us off. We simply can't take another knock.

“They did not notify us at all. It's outrageous that they didn't bother to tell people like us.”

Nayna Patel, co-owner of Hambrooks newsagent, said: “The closure is going to have a big impact on us. We get a lot of passing trade from people going to and from Harlow and Romford in the mornings buying their newspapers and milk, and we'll lose all that.

“It is a struggle for shops here as it is at the moment, and it makes it worse that we were given no warning.”

Concerned ward councillor Janet Whitehouse said she had been contacted by many people in Coopersale who were shocked to find out about the shut-down.

She said: “I have arranged for notices to be displayed saying that the pub and shops are still open and accessible, and I have urged the contractors to complete the work as quickly as possible.”

A spokeswoman for the National Grid said: “We did write to everyone within the road closure area however we appreciate that there are a number of businesses which are outside the actual road closure but clearly are adjacent to it.

“There were some signs that went up around May 10th however obviously we do apologise for any inconvenience that has been caused.”

Traffic will be diverted along The Plain, Palmers Hill, Stonards Hill and Houblons Hill during the closure.