A restaurant is losing money because of work to replace a gas main, according to its owner.

Frankie Tsang, owner of the Four Seasons in Powick, says takings are down between 30 and 50 per cent each day and he lays the blame at the feet of National Grid, which is replacing the old gas main between Worcester and Malvern.

What’s more, Mr Tsang’s restaurant was forced to close on the evening of Tuesday, July 19, because workmen hit the water main at about 4pm that day and Severn Trent staff were not able to fix it until later that evening.

The current gas pipe is about 80 years old and has been causing problems for villagers in Bastonford, near Powick, for several years after it leaked during the winter.

National Grid made the decision to replace the whole of the 9km medium pressure main, which meant months of work along the road.

The work outside Mr Tsang’s restaurant – which started on Monday, July 11 – is expected to last until the end of next week.

Mr Tsang said: “Nobody expected such work involved. Business has suffered dramatically.

"People do not know where to park or how to get into the restaurant. The main entrance has been blocked.

“A lot of customers thought we were closed. They all just go somewhere else.

“I feel very upset about it. Business is down bet-ween 30 and 50 per cent. It’s awful.

“It’s a very bad time generally for restaurants.”

But National Grid has said the signs it has put up – which include directions and “businesses open as usual” boards – should be enough to inform customers.

Jane Taylor, National Grid spokesperson, said: “There are two signs up saying the restaurant is open at the start of the diversion.

“There are also signs with the name of the restaurant on them.

“We did hit the water main which was running right alongside the gas pipe.

"The Severn Trent repair crew was down in the Bristol area so could not get up straight away.”