Dominic Bareham A PUB landlord believes he has lost £3,000 in six weeks after Norfolk County Council closed a road to widen a footpath.Andrew Bradfield, who runs the Fox and Hounds in Filby, said his biggest loss had been from passing trade for lunch.

Dominic Bareham

A PUB landlord believes he has lost £3,000 in six weeks after Norfolk County Council closed a road to widen a footpath.

Andrew Bradfield, who runs the Fox and Hounds in Filby, said his biggest loss had been from passing trade for lunch.

Thrigby Road was closed until 4.30pm on weekdays from January 7 while the path was widened to improve safety for children walking to the first school's front entrance.

After 40.30pm vehicles were able to pass as temporary traffic lights were installed. Diversions were also set up through Mautby, Runham and Stokesby. The road has since re-opened.

However, Mr Bradfield said the county council should have erected signs saying the pub was still open even though the road was not.

He said passing trade could have swelled his coffers by £500 or £600 a week, and he had considered claiming compensation, but decided against it because of the amount of time and effort needed to pursue a claim.

He said: “It has been one hell of a struggle. We have lost a lot of lunchtime trade, but hopefully things are going to start picking up again. Things have started improving during the last couple of weeks.”

He had asked the council to put one sign up at Thrigby Hall Wildlife Gardens advising motorists they could still get through to the Fox and Hounds, with the other at the other end of the road at the junction with the A1064.