Burton is open for business, the bosses of two of Burton's main shopping centres say, as the town's retailers are forced to cope with a second bridge closure in less than a year.

The managers at Coopers Square and The Octagon retail sites are urging shoppers not to turn their backs on the town, despite the partial closure of one of the main routes into Burton.

Three of the four lanes of the iconic Burton Bridge, over the River Trent are currently closed, with one lane into Burton remaining open.

There is no access out of Burton via the bridge and all traffic is being diverted to St Peter’s Bridge as a result.

The work is part of a £6.1 million boost to strengthen Burton Bridge and St Peter’s Bridge.

St Peter’s Bridge was controversially completely closed last year for three months, which brought independent traders to their knees after shoppers avoided the long queues. It led to a crunch meeting with Staffordshire County Council.

Dave Chadfield, Coopers Square shopping centre manager

The authority has since said it has learned its lesson and has had more time to implement a strategy to cope with the latest closure.

Morning rush hour on Monday, June 18, on the first day of the partial closure, was busy in Wetmore Road but very few other areas were affected.

However, the afternoon rush hour was proving a headache for some motorists, leading to queues across the town centre.

Peter Hardingham, manager at The Octagon shopping centre said some of his retailers had described the first day as "terrible" for footfall but urged shoppers to continue visiting.

He said: “Some of the words used to me on Monday were ‘terrible’, ‘disaster’.

"I know it is only one day and we are at the back end of Eid and Father’s Day which may have had an affect, and the football, which may have prompted people to leave town earlier.

An image released by Amey to show how it's work will be carried out on Burton Bridge

“We thought this time that we would benefit from being at this end of town but that doesn’t seem to be the case. Having said that, one of our retailers beat last year’s figures.

“We were 15 per cent down in our car parking compared to last Monday which is disappointing but we are finding people are using our car park more as it is closer to St Peter’s Bridge and people are walking into town.

“I was concerned about the closure but not as concerned as I was with St Peter’s Bridge and I have been involved in some of the decision-making on what is happening this time so I was comfortable with the plans.

“The traffic on Tuesday seems busier than Monday. Traffic is moving freely from Orchard Street.

Peter Hardingham, The Octagon shopping centre manager

"On Monday there were people taking short cuts through the town centre. If people take the advertised diversion routes then the disruption would have been less.

“I would say to shoppers ‘come early’. Burton is open for shopping, business, appointments and restaurants and take advantage of everything the town has to offer and be mindful of where you park.”

Dave Chadfield, manager at Coopers Square shopping centre, echoed this plea, saying his retail park seems to have been less affected.

He said: “I wasn't here on Monday but the car park seems pretty normal on Tuesday. Everything seems to be ok.

“The St Peter's Bridge closure didn't affect us much last time around. We were only down about two per cent on footfall. It wasn't quite as bad as people thought it would be. They have enough warning now.

One of the suggested alternative routes during the closure

“The county council has listened to what we said to them and how to alleviate the problems. We will wait and see with the figures. I think it won’t have anywhere near the effect it did last time.

“With traffic shoppers need to look at when they are coming to Burton and carry on. I don’t think it will be as bad

“Business is open in Burton.”

A spokesman for Burton Place shopping centre was unavailable for comment at the time the Burton Mail went to press.