Boots has been urged to compensate neighbouring businesses that were forced to close while it repaired its roof.

The chemist in North Street, Brighton needed emergency work last month after parts of its roof were damaged by Storm Kathleen.

Part of the city centre street had to be closed and a safety cordon was put up along with scaffolding.

Other businesses inside the cordon had to close for four days to protect their staff and customers.

These included Popeyes, Lavash Café and Evapo.

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Other shops along the street were also affected by a drop in customers as people were forced to use other routes.

But Boots was able to continue trading throughout the closure because customers could still use its entrance in Queen's Road.

Brighton and Hove City Council said it has now written to Boots to express its concern over the impact the road closure had on businesses, residents and visitors to the city.

The council stressed the impact this had on the finances of those neighbouring businesses and the fact that the work could have been avoided if it had been sorted sooner when the roof was first damaged in November last year.

Boots has been asked to explore ways it can provide suitable levels of compensation to those affected.

Councillor Jacob Taylor, deputy leader and cabinet member for finance and city regeneration, said: “The safety of our residents and visitors will always be our priority and so it was absolutely right to close this section of North Street while repair work was taking place.

“This did, however, have a significant impact on nearby businesses including some who were closed for four days during the busy Easter school holidays.

“We think it’s only fair that Boots talks to those businesses most affected by this work to discuss ways to compensate them for the loss of trade.

“Our understanding is Boots is planning major investment in its store over the summer which we welcome. Hopefully this work will help avoid similar emergency work being needed in the future.”

Boots said it would not be commenting.