“We have spent the last 18 months rebuilding the business and now we could be pushed over the edge once again.

“It seems ridiculous that with all of the development plans for the future of this area in particular that works cannot be delayed to coincide with any other major disruption that is likely to occur then, rather than exposing the businesses in this area to further hardship”.

United Utilities spokesman Christian Ewen said the company’s project engineer had met with executives from Lewis’s to discuss their concerns.

“We have fed back their views to the Network Management Approvals Team (NMAT) Group [made up of the council and emergency services] and discussions are now ongoing.

“The work on Renshaw Street is due to start on Monday, March 9 and we are expecting to have work completed by mid-May. This scheme is part of United Utilities’ £2.9bn water quality and environmental improvement programme for 2005-2010.”

A city council spokesman said: “The work has been planned for some time, but we asked United Utilities not to do it last year because of Capital of Culture and Hanover Street had ongoing work.

“The work has to be done by 2010 for United Utilities to hit their targets [for pipe replacement].

“The first quarter of this year is probably the best time it can be done in view of other works there will be along other roads.”

davidbartlett