A CITY centre business which has pushed for repairs to "dangerous" pavement defects outside a shop for almost a year claims they cause "at least ten accidents a week".

Harri Finan, a barber at Mews Barbers, in Church Street, Colchester, says pedestrians regularly trip over loose pavement slabs in the area.

But despite being reassured repairs would be carried out in the summer, Mr Finan is still waiting for work to start.

"There is a paving outside our shop which was meant to be repaired last Christmas and then in the summer, yet it still hasn’t been repaired," he said.

"There is at least ten accidents a week involving it.

"In the past I've had to clean blood off a woman's face because of the fall they suffered."

Gazette: Businesses have urged the council to make repairs to Church StreetBusinesses have urged the council to make repairs to Church Street (Image: Newsquest)

Essex Highways told the Gazette repair work would start soon.

A spokesman said: "We are aware of the works required in Church Street, Colchester, and are looking to programme these to be undertaken shortly."

Mel Wallis, owner of the barber shop and landlord of the nearby Smith's bar, said the long wait for repairs to the defect was "one of the obstacles" facing struggling businesses in Colchester.

Mr Wallis is also locked in a battle with Colchester Council over the use of an advertising board near the barber shop.

"Much of the pavement in Church Street, outside Smith's, is cracked and damaged," he said.

"I'm not alone in feeling frustrated by these issues, I've just got nothing to lose by speaking out.

"At the end of the day we are all trying to rebuild businesses, but it feels like one obstacle is put in front of the other, all of the time."

Gazette: Businesses have reported people suffering fallsBusinesses have reported people suffering falls (Image: Newsquest)

Mr Wallis has refused to pay a £100 fine issued by Colchester Council over the use of an A-board outside the shop.

In 2017, Colchester Council issued a blanket ban on advertising boards across the town as part of a public spaces protection order.

The authority says the ban is "about helping to make our town centre a safe, attractive and welcoming place for all visitors, including people who are visually impaired or who have restricted mobility".

The council adds crackdown on A-boards also helps parents with children, prams and buggies navigate the pavement.