Businesses along an Essex high street are facing a six-week long road closure which has left some "much quieter" than others.
Brentwood High Street closed to traffic on Monday (September 15) for gas works and will not reopen again for more than a month.
While residents and visitors are being encouraged to continue supporting high street businesses during the closure, some venues are already seeing a drop in footfall.
The Recorder spoke to Becky Sharman, manager of The Beauty Bar Brentwood, who said it has "definitely [been] quieter" since Monday.
READ MORE: Brentwood High Street to shut for six weeks for gas works
She told this paper: "It's not as busy.
"We said that this morning from bookings - if we look from last year, on the same date, it's much quieter.
"A lot of clients park at Wilsons Corner at the top of the High Street, but obviously if it's closed you have to go all the way round and Brentwood has bad traffic anyway."
Becky explained how she has even had to adjust appointment times so those parking in the town centre car parks can get the correct parking.
Pedestrians often do not walk as far up the road as where the salon is, Becky added, and so when it is closed off people "just avoid the top of the High Street".
This is something we saw reflected in the experiences of other businesses, with some attracting more footfall than others.
Rossi, next door to The Beauty Bar, said that "at the moment we are just too quiet" but are still seeing their regular customers "sometimes".
Pooja Vaglat, a front of house team member at the cafe, said: "Yesterday was good but Monday and Tuesday were quiet.
"Today is better because the sunshine was out today."
At the other end of High Street, Ichica Hair has not been affected by the closure "at all".
READ MORE: Gallows Corner closure: Romford businesses left 'suffering'
"It's actually been quite nice walking up there with it all closed," owner and manager Adam Taylor told the Recorder.
"It's just a completely different atmosphere.
"I understand how it can affect a lot of other shops, but if people got used to it I think it'll be nice like that."
During the closure, Cadent Gas will be replacing metal gas pipes under the road while Essex Highways resurface areas of the high street.
Brentwood Connected Business Improvement District manager Sarah Walmsley said that they have been in "regular communication" with Cadent to ensure that businesses are kept informed, and are raising awareness that businesses remain open.
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