Revamp works have "killed Clacton town centre", said one beleaguered trader.

Until recently, Jayne Bedwell, owned two florist shops in the town - Camellia in Rosemary Road and Eliza in Old Road.

She has been forced to shut the Rosemary Road shop, because the lack of trade has made it financially inviable. She is left trading in Old Road under the Camellia name.

"Both shops have been my baby for the last five years and I feel really upset that I've had to close the one in the town centre," she said.

"But we just weren't making enough money to continue. It's just been impossible to run the business with the developments that have taken place - they've killed the town centre."

Essex County Council, which is responsible for the changes to the roads in the town centre, said it would be inappropriate to comment on individual businesses.

However, a spokesman added: "Clacton town centre has been undergoing a transformation in recent months, which will bring more shoppers into the town.

"All works have been done in full consultation with the local people and our resident engineer is on site daily and in constant communication with residents and traders."

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