TRADERS on a Newport street are angry they will not be compensated for lost sales despite being forced to close today while Welsh Water carries out maintenance work.

Shopkeepers on Risca Road were told they will be without water for up to six hours between 10am and 4pm, while the company carries out essential work on a fire hydrant. While many offices along the street are not affected, the owners of That Cafe, The Haven Coffee and Craft Shop and The Sandwich Bar on nearby Llanthewy Road, have been told by the council’s environmental health department that they cannot open unless they have access to hot and cold running water in the interest of health and safety.

Number 24 Hair and Beauty hairdressers has also been forced to close because they will not have any water to wash customers’ hair and all traders are angry that they cannot claim compensation for lost earnings, which they say could run into hundreds of pounds.

Laura Buchnan-Smith, whose daughter Fleur runs That Cafe, said: “It is disgraceful. It will cost us about £400 to £500 in lost takings and we still have to pay staff and the bills.”

Jen Hereford, who owns The Haven, said Wednesdays were the shop’s busiest days and she could not understandwhy the work could not be done on a Sunday or in the evening.

Pauline Johnson, whose daughter Karen Hawkins runs the hairdressers, said staff have had to cancel appointments, which would result in lost custom and could mean customers may not return.

Allt-yr-yn Cllr David Fouweather contacted Welsh Water to ask them to reschedule the work for a time which would not affect traders and was told it was not possible.

He said: “I am appalled by their inflexibility and would have thought that a major company like this would have consideration for residents and small businesses who are struggling at this time.”

A spokesman for Welsh Water said the company was not required to pay traders any compensation as it notified them in advance. He added they should instead take the matter up with their insurance company.