FLOOD defence works are said to be drowning businesses in Bewdley as yet another firm announces its closure.

Five shops in the small town have already closed their doors this year - blaming the defence barrier - and now Woodentops, a pine furniture specialist, is adding its name to the list.

Owner Anne Nolan said she could no longer afford to keep the shop open after a significant drop in visitor numbers.

Parking has been named as the main issue, as the Environment Agency has cut off Severnside South to vehicles, and has taken over part of one of the town's three car parks.

"Ever since preparation work on the initiative began 18 months ago, I have noticed a lull in trade," said Miss Nolan.

"Then the main work started in September and it has become increasingly worse.

"People are just not bothering to stop in Bewdley because they can't park. I had people coming from Birmingham and further afield to buy goods, but they don't come anymore.

"I may try to keep the shop open until Christmas, but I don't know if that is going to be possible.

"I have been here ten years, and it is a difficult decision to have to make."

Another long-standing firm affected was the Old Bank Craft Studio, which was owned by husband and wife John and Jenny Instance. They closed the art gallery and gift shop after 23 years.

"The works just devastated trade and we couldn't afford to keep the studio going," said Mrs Instance.

"We put up with a lot of disruption but in the end it all proved too much.

"A lot of people did not even realise we were open because the entrance to Severnside South is all fenced up.

"We are now selling our paintings through shops in other towns."

Even those firms who have managed to keep going are suffering.

Gurth Scriven, the clinical director of the Riverside Veterinary Clinic, said the surgery had been hit hard.

"I am constantly on the look-out for new premises as people seem reluctant to drag their poorly pets by foot to the clinic," he said.

"The works will greatly restrict any expansion plans I may have had, and so I need to go elsewhere.

"Until I compare figures to last year, I won't know the full extent of the damage, but it is going to be bad."

Yet, despite the problems being caused by the flood defence scheme, many business owners agree the work needs to be done.

"I live in Lax Lane and have been flooded twice and so I praise the work being done," added Miss Nolan.

"It is just a shame it is having such a devastating effects on businesses in the town."

A spokesman for the Environment Agency said: "We have sponsored park and rides in the town at the weekends and there are two other car parks in Bewdley.

"We have made every effort to make sure there are as many spaces for visitors as possible."