THE owner of a farm shop and restaurant says trade has been "terrible" since a major road closed earlier this week.

Rowberry's Nursery Farm Shop and Restaurant off the A448 in Chaddesley Corbett is reminding people it's still open for business whilst the road is partly closed for three months.

Owner Chris Rowberry, aged 63, has branded the decision to close the road whilst Severn Trent replace a water pipe as "ridiculous."

He says trade has been significantly hit by the road closure, which came into force on Monday (February 19).

Bromsgrove Advertiser: Customer numbers have dwindled since the road closure was put in placeCustomer numbers have dwindled since the road closure was put in place (Image: Rebecca Rowberry)

Mr Rowberry told the Shuttle: "I just can't believe they can close such a major road like that. Three months is just ridiculous.

"We just got going again since Christmas. The trade was just starting to build up.

"Monday, it was a very bad day. Yesterday morning was terrible. We are 70 per cent down at the moment.

On Wednesday morning he said there's usually 60 to 70 cars at the shop, but said he only saw two parked at around half past 10. Rowberry's employs 45 members of staff at the shop and restaurant.

Bromsgrove Advertiser:

Mr Rowberry added: "It's a bad time of the year - we are going to miss three bank holidays.

"We have had no real notice of it coming. We need to let people know we need the support".

The work on the A448 started in May 2023 but had to be abandoned due to a road worker being seriously injured after being hit by a vehicle.

The closure is in place 24/7 and there is no through route to Kidderminster from Bromsgrove between Harvington Hall Lane and Dobes Lane.