“I’m not against the project but I think the public doesn’t understand that John Street businesses are still open and they need help to continue trading while the work is being done,” he told The Argus.

Mr Stamatopoulos said customer 

numbers had been down by about 20 per cent since the work started.

However, he believes the real test will come if their regular weekend travellers drive past the site. 

“Most of our business is on weekends from travellers passing through town and, with access only from Gowrie Street, it could hurt us,” he said.

“A lot of people have told us they thought we were closed, which isn’t the case for any of the shops that are still trading.

“Let’s not forget these retailers can still be accessed and need help more than ever.”

The Singleton Town Centre Revitalisation Project has been broken up into different sections; the first which started on January 19 with the area on John Street between York and Gowrie being upgraded.

On Tuesday, John Street – between Pitt and William streets – also closed until the March 25. 

From March 26, York to Castlereagh Street will be upgraded, finishing on April 27.

Stage five works (William to Hunter Street) also begin on March 26 but will be completed on May 15. 

The last of the works, at the Hunter Street intersection, go from May 18 to May 26. 

The finishing touches will continue until September.

“We’re one of the first cabs off the rank but many more businesses will get a bit of shock,” Mr Stamatopoulos told The Argus.