SOME retailers believe their worst fears are quickly being realised following the closure of Andover High Street to traffic.

Juliana Sinclair, whose daughter runs Pennies of Andover knitting, haberdashery and crafts shop in Shaws Walk, just off the High Street, is concerned about the decline in business already evident since the traffic ban last week.

The mother-and-daughter team experienced first hand the unfortunate results of pedestrianisation brought to their wool shop in Romsey town centre. The business was made bankrupt.

"After all the fighting, we have been overruled and they've won to destroy life in the High Street," she said.

"Will Test Valley Borough Council give us a reduction in rent due to a sinking of sales," asked Mrs Sinclair, whose family have been trading in the High Street for over 30 years.

"We certainly have felt a fall in trade. It's driving people to shop out of town," said Ken Whitehouse, of Solitaire Jewellers.

Jitu Lakhani, owner of High Street newsagent Charlton News, confirmed that he had experienced the fall in sales that he expected and feared.

"Look at my shop, it's dead! The last Friday of the month is normally my busiest day," said Mr Lakhani.

The shop owner, who trades on a site which has been a newsagent for over 100 years, is bemused by one of the council's reason for the enhancement - the attraction of investment from retail companies.

"What does Test Valley Borough Council mean by improving quality when a bookmakers is planned for the empty premises opposite?"

In response Mark Lambert, borough council engineering consultancy manager, said he appreciated that some people still had reservations about the future benefits of the High Street environmental enhancement.

"The council is confident about the future benefits of the enhancement scheme. Concerns of retailers in the town centre were discussed before and during the public inquiry and the outcome of that process is the scheme being implemented.

"Both the council and the contractor are working closely with the shops to address any concerns that arise. We will continue to do so through the duration of the project," he said.

Mr Lambert added that only those with a blue disability badge or a special loading permit should enter the High Street. The others will get a ticket.