A SUPERMARKET is adamant roadworks outside its store have not adversely affected its business.

Traders in Colchester have been complaining about how the Ipswich Road and Harwich Road improvement scheme has been taking its toll on trade.

Waitrose has a branch right in the middle of the roadworks, off St Andrew’s Avenue.

The Gazette has been told by a Waitrose staff member at the branch as well as other sources that roadworks have had a negative impact on the business.

However, Waitrose’s press office has insisted the works have not affected trade at all.

Part of the works has included rebuilding the wall around the shop car park.

It meant a number of parking spaces were taken up by Essex Highways equipment.

Essex Highways staff tweeted an update, which said the first stage of work retaining the wall was almost complete and by the weekend customers will have full use of the car park again.

This will be until early January, when the rest of the works to the wall will be completed.

Despite the lost spaces in the car park and the congestion around the store, Waitrose said it was business as usual.

A spokesman for the firm said: “As part of the A133 road improvement scheme, some work has been taking place in a small area at the end of our car park.

“There are still plenty of spaces available for customers.

“We understand the roadworks are causing some frustration with residents, however we’d like to assure our customers we’re open and trading as usual.”

Tailbacks have been a daily occurrence since September when work started to replace the double roundabouts in Ipswich Road and Harwich Road with a single roundabout at each location.

BT has also been in the area carrying out telecommunications mains diversions which has added to the disruption.

The works are expected to last until winter next year.