A GROUP of independent traders are up in arms after the council decided to close a nearby car park in the lead up to Christmas - without telling anyone.

They fear shutting Taunton's Coal Orchard Car Park over the next two months could hit takings during the year's peak shopping period.

Taunton Deane Borough Council put up a sign warning of the closure "at various times" between October 8 and November 23 while the former St James Pool building is demolished.

The pool is going under plans for a multi-million pound development of shops, homes, restaurants, offices and a gym on the council-owned car park area.

Sam Hay, of home goods store Sammylou, in Riverside Place, learned about the car park closure from a visitor to her shop.

She said: "I'm not amused. That's our busiest time of the year.

"I understand they're going to have to do the work some time, but surely don't start when we make the most money which sees us through the quiet times."

Jane Armour, from neighbouring greeting card shop Jane Armour Trading, said: "We weren't notified in January either when the council closed the car park for a week - and trade stopped just like that.

"That makes me apprehensive at the run up to our busiest period. November is the busiest month of the entire year - we need it for the rest of the year."

READ MORE: Multi-million pound plans for Coal Orchard redevelopment approved 

Martin Pakes, from Pegasus Court, near the car park, said businesses in the area he spoke to had not been informed of the impending closure.

He added: "You'd have thought, as a matter of courtesy, the council would have got all the local interests together to devise a mutually satisfactory programme of car park closures."

Scores of people are already angry at development plans to cut from 120 to 42 parking spaces at Coal Orchard, which serves the Brewhouse Theatre, St James Medical Centre, St James Church and local shops.

A Deane spokeswoman said letters will be sent to traders and residents once the planning consent process for the pool demolition is complete.

She added: "The signs in the car park have been placed to give advance warning of the temporary closure in anticipation of this and we apologise if they have caused concern ahead of these letters being sent.

"The works will be carried out during an eight-week programme in which only partial closure of Coal Orchard car park is required.

"There will still be 40 spaces available during this period except for one week during which full closure is required while a number of trial holes are drilled."

The car park will fully re-open in early December, although hoarding will remain in situ as a safety barrier.

Somerset County Gazette: PROPOSALS: How the Coal Orchard development could look
PLANS: How Coal Orchard could look