CITY centre traders say the closure of Newport's Kingsway car park is wrecking their Christmas trade.

Many are reporting a dramatic slump in pre-Christmas profits - and some fear they may even be forced to close.

Next year Newport is set for a £100 million transformation - including redevelopment of Kingsway shopping centre and a major department store.

The Kingsway and Capitol car parks will also be replaced by a 1,370-space alternative.

But meanwhile, Paul Bartlett, owner of Kingsway News and Cards, said his takings were down 30 per cent on last year.

"We're nowhere near as busy as last year. November and December are usually what I call my fat months - they tide me over until the New Year."

But the number of his customers has dropped from 1,300 to just 900 a day during the festive period, compared to last year.

Fellow Kingsway trader Glyn Ashfield, owner of Colours Fashions, added: "It's been very poor indeed - we've suffered a big dent in takings."

Coxco owner Tony Cox said his Abergavenny shop took twice as much as the Newport store.

He said: "I don't see my future in Newport at all. I will pull out in the New Year. "I opened the week the car park closed and I noticed a dip in trade immediately."

But Kingsway manager Michael Hine said: "The grotto is showing magnificent figures compared to last year.

"The issue of the car park is not the be-all and end-all. It's like all things, it's a factor, rather than a cause, like any fluctuation in trade."

Other city traders also complained trade was down.

Tim Kemp, operations manager for the new Big W store at Maesglas, said attracting more big names was the only way to bring in more trade.

"I think we need some big shops like John Lewis or Debenhams," he said. "That's where Newport is losing out to places like Cardiff. Seeing these big names gives people confidence in the city. We're not as busy as we'd like, but we're doing well for a new store."

A council spokeswoman said: "In September, when the city centre redevelopment scheme was launched, the council announced its plans for alternative car parking to replace Kingsway both before and during the redevelopment of the city centre."

To combat the closure, the council has converted the existing 270 spaces in the Riverfront car park to short- term parking, opened an extension there with 100 more spaces, reduced charges at Granville Street car park and runs free park and ride on Saturdays in the run-up to Christmas.

* Pictured: Newport's Kingsway Shopping Centre