BUSINESSES on Upton’s riverfront say work to create the town’s flood defence wall has driven them to the brink of bankruptcy.

Work to build the glass-topped wall began in September but businesses have now been told it will not be complete for another month at the earliest – despite claims they were privately assured everything would be complete by the end of March.

Among those most severely affected are Sue and Ralph Thompson, landlords of The Swan Hotel, who say they have endured almost “two years of misery”.

Their problems began in June 2010, when the road outside the front of their property collapsed during exploratory drilling work.

“It has not been open again since then, and since work on the wall began in September the problems have got noticeably worse,” said Mrs Thompson.

“The high fencing means that people don’t know we are here and with the few customers we do get, the disruption makes it almost impossible to provide the sort of environment people will want to stay.”

Since September opening hours have been cut and staff have lost jobs because there is not enough business to keep them on.

The Gazette met Mr and Mrs Thompson on what should have been a busy Friday afternoon – however despite being open for almost four hours, sales amounted to three cups of coffee and a pint of Guinness.

Mrs Thompson added: “We have lost hundreds of thousands of pounds because of this. If it were not for Marstons helping us out we would be bankrupt by now. A few weeks ago we just could not afford to pay the rent and seriously considered closing.”

They also say compensation payments have not been paid regularly as promised, and that even if they were, they would not come close to covering the financial impact.

Neighbouring cafe Lizzie’s, at the Boathouse, is also suffering. “I have been open for eight hours and have turned over a total of £40,” said owner Lizzie Jeynes. “We realise that it is not the workers’ fault but I don’t think that the misery this has caused to the businesses caught in the middle has really been appreciated.

“When I opened in November I was assured that this would all be done by March 28 and that there would be ‘minimal disruption’. But it has been a far cry from that.”

Environment Agency spokesman Sharon Robinson said every effort had been made to minimise disruption.

“However, the site is very limited for space and working conditions are constrained. We have been working with businesses to ensure access can be maintained when required and regular street cleaning is carried out,” she said.

“Compensation has been paid to the local businesses directly affected, for their losses during the construction, including interim payments where agreed.” She added the intention was always to complete the work by the early May Bank Holiday.