Charity shops across Dorchester are struggling to survive as repaving works continue to restrict access for shoppers and donations.

As reported in the Echo, Oxfam, in South Street, experienced a severe drop in donations due to the ongoing road works designed to regenerate the town centre.

But, it seems that not-for-profit shops throughout the town are experiencing a decrease in trade and footfall as the roadworks are discouraging shoppers.

Ross Lock, deputy manager of The Salvation Army in Trinity Street, said: “Usually we’re pretty inundated with donations, but now our back room is empty. It was empty for a week, and that’s never happened before.

“Some charities have a head office that send them stuff, but we just have to rely on donations from the public here in Dorchester, without them we cannot survive. We had three days where we saw nothing. I just think people can’t really be bothered to fight through roadworks. The Trinity Street car park also has loads of spaces and usually you can never find one.”

Repaving the southern section of South Street, which began in April, is set to continue until July 28, when repaving will start in New Street until August 18.

Hannah Gorman, manager at Sue Ryder, said: “There has been a definite drop in donations in the last three or four weeks. I think what they’re doing will be great, but it’s probably the worst time of year to do it when there will be tourists coming and more traffic on the road."

A traffic restriction is currently in place preventing vehicles entering South Street between 7am and 7pm, Monday to Saturday.

Combined with temporary lights at the junction of Weymouth Avenue, Great Western Road and Prince of Wales Road, heavy traffic is causing delays in the town.

Richard Colby from Dorset County Council’s highways improvements team said they are working in evenings and early mornings to minimise disruption. He said: “There is no good time to carry out work in a busy town centre, but we set the timing to avoid Easter, and so that most areas were completed by the summer holidays. Being summer, it also minimises time lost due to adverse weather.