TRADERS are calling for an emergency Craven District Council meeting in a bid to halt work which, they claim, has cut business by up to quarter.

And they have called on Skipton MP Julian Smith to put pressure on the council to postpone the work - which includes the closure of the town's Jerry Croft for four weeks - until the new year.

The work is part of a £770,000 improvement scheme at Skipton Town Hall.

Luc Daguzan, who owns Le Bistro des Amis, on Jerry Croft, said the "hell-hole" created outside his restaurant was killing vital trade in the run up to Christmas.

"Our lunch trade has just died off," he said. "Usually we have about 50 for lunch but, on Monday, there were only 15. I am losing £500 a day and if I am losing a quarter of my revenue, how can I justify employing 30 staff?

"This should be our busiest time of year and we need those profits to carry us through the quiet months. The timing of these works is not only unthoughtful but is damaging and quite frankly an insult."

He said there had been no consultation with local businesses and the pedestrian access between the car park and High Street was so narrow that wheelchairs struggled to get through.

"It is a shambles," said Mr Daguzan, who is hoping to launch a petition.

Fellow Jerry Croft trader James Paton, who runs Relish, said the council should have carried out a social and economic impact assessment before starting the work.

"It is a necessary part of project management," said Mr Paton. "It is quite clear that despite these being public works on a public building, with the closure of a public highway, proper consultation has been wholly missing."

Now, after an unsuccessful meeting with officers, he has called for an emergency meeting of full council.

MP Julian Smith has also asked the council to work with traders to find a compromise.

He told the Herald: "I am not satisfied with how the council has communicated with traders and will continue to represent the legitimate worries of those who risk their own money to create the enterprise economy that we all rely on."

A statement from Craven District Council said: "The refurbishment of the town hall is taking place to a tightly scheduled programme of works.

"Road closure notices were published on September 25 and again on October 9. The contractor carrying out the town hall refurbishment also sent a letter on November 3 to inform businesses about the closure of Jerry Croft for vehicles from November 10 until December 5. The road will reopen from December 6 with the Skipton Yuletide Markets unaffected.

"Pedestrian access is being maintained and there has been no reduction in the width of the pavement.

"There is never a perfect time to close vehicular access in Skipton. Information – based on historical car park ticket sales figures - indicates November is traditionally one of the quieter months of the year, the other months being January and February when there is a greater risk of bad weather.

"The work will produce a modern, new entrance on Jerry Croft itself, greatly enhancing the whole street scene and increasing footfall along Jerry Croft."