A business owner says he has been forced to reduce his opening times and cut back staff hours due to ongoing works in a town centre.

Carl Ambrose says the renovation scheme at Dover's Market Square is making things 'very difficult' for the team at Rhino & Bull's, which has seen fewer customers through the doors in recent months.

Rhino & Bull's owner takes a walk through the square

He has now cut back his opening days as a result, with the venue only opening on Friday and Saturdays from 11am to 1am for the next six weeks.

Mr Ambrose, a former firefighter, said: "You can only imagine the frustration for businesses in Market Square.

"We only opened Rhino & Bull's three months before Covid hit.

"We had two bouts of Covid lockdowns and we were doing well after. But now this has turned it upside down again.

"The council could have carried out the work during Covid when everything was shut - that would have made more sense.

"The timing to me is ridiculous."

Mr Ambrose, 47, fears tourists coming off boats at the harbour will be put off walking into town by the works.

He said: "They will walk under the subway and it looks like downtown Beirut.

"If you're on holiday and you saw a building site in front of you, you would avoid it."

When work started last year, Mr Ambrose, from Dover, reduced the opening of the bar from seven days a week to fours days, from Thursday to Sunday.

But has now reduced to just two days a week, meaning his staff's working hours have also been cut down.

He adds: "I'm sure it will look good in the end, but the timing has not been good."

Taking to Facebook, Mr Ambrose posted: "Unfortunately, due to circumstances out of our control business has become very difficult with the current building works happening outside and for at least the next six weeks.

"As such, we are only going to be open on Friday and Saturdays 11-1am for this time.

"While it should be good when completed and we hope it brings a new vibe to the town, it’s proving very difficult with it being so close to our front door!

"We apologise for any inconvenience caused to any of our customers!"

The works are also affecting other businesses in the town centre.

Kanthappa Varatharajan, owner of the Londis food store, said trade has significantly reduced.

He said: "We don't have passing customers now because people can't walk straight to us.

"I thought the work was supposed to be done bit by bit but the problem is that it is being done all over the place.

"Compared to last June we think our trade is down to two-thirds."

Tess Franklin, manager of the neighbouring Oriental Mini-Mart, said: "After they started work last September our trade went down to 75% but since they fenced off parts a couple of months ago it is now down to 25%.

"We are not getting the normal passing trade, just regular customers.

"Some people are going straight past us to St James'.

"Our deliveries come from lorries and the can't get to us.

"We do welcome the development as it is going to bring a lot of people to Dover.

"The council are being co-operative with us but I don't think they are aware of the impact."

Necati Gunes, boss of the Aspendos Turkish restaurant in King Street, added: "It is affecting us.

"We are for a start not getting older people or those in wheelchairs.

"They are avoiding us completely because the access is so bad. We are down 40% in our business and it is getting worse."

A major revamp of Market Square started last year, with contractors, FM Conway, carrying out the works on behalf of Kent County Council and Dover District Council.

The aim of the £3.6m project is to attract more people to visit and shop in Dover by making the square more welcoming for residents and creating a focal point for visitors.

New features include a paved space for performance, water feature, more seating and lighting and terraced areas.

Construction is expected to take nine months with completion in summer 2022, Dover council said.

A spokesman for the authority said: "We are sorry for any inconvenience caused during the current regeneration works.

"We have been working closely with local businesses to keep them up to date as these important works progress.

"The works started in November and are due to finish soon.

"This represents a significant investment in the town, and we are looking forward to the revamped Market Square opening.

"We look forward to seeing the project attract more people to visit and shop in Dover by making the Market Square more welcoming for local residents and creating a focal point for visitors to the town centre."

The investment at Market Square is one of several projects taking place in the town.

A £9m restoratoin scheme is being carried out in the historic Maison Dieu building.

Elsewhere and a new cafe is opening at the harbour where £250m was recently spent on the Dover Western Docks Revival Scheme.