It has been over a month since criminals attempted to steal a cashpoint in Beaminster, leaving a building partially destroyed, and concerns have been raised over the impact ongoing work is having on local trade.

Work is needed to repair structural damage resulting from the mid-August ram raid at the cash machine at the side of Chris Chapman Bespoke Kitchens & Furniture, previously a bank, at the Fleet Street corner of The Square.

Beaminster Town Council met with structural engineers and builders at the beginning of the month to assess the damage, while temporary traffic lights and a one-way system have since been installed.

But business owners are worried about the impact ongoing work and traffic problems are having on trade.

West Dorset District Council recently voted in favour of parking concessions in a bid to encourage visitors to the town while work continues, but some say it is not enough.

Louise Chidgey, owner of Brassica Restaurant & Mercantile, said: “There is definite anger on the lack of progress and it is having a significant effect on trade as customers are either avoiding the town or passers-by not stopping. Both our restaurant and shop have suffered, however the shop more so as I am caged behind the metal safety barriers.

“I believe everyone behind the scenes is working on getting it sorted but it’s not quick enough and basically becoming the town’s joke and farce. Free parking has been given in Yarn Barton but the spaces are always empty as it is The Square most use.

“To be honest, I am very worried about our business; we were forced to close when it happened as we were within the police cordon crime scene - a weekend in August - disaster.”

Beaminster resident Douglas Beazer has written to the county council over what he believes is an ‘unsatisfactory’ traffic management scheme.

Mr Beazer said: “At the moment we have blockages occurring when traffic tries to enter Fleet Street whilst, at the same time, traffic is trying to emerge from Fleet Street onto the main road and also traffic cannot enter or leave the Square whilst traffic is queuing at the red light control on the main road.

"If this set of lights was positioned at Prout Bridge it would allow southbound traffic to enter the Square. To accompany these traffic lights surely it would be common sense to put a notice at Misterton crossroads and in Bridport to divert HGV traffic away from the traffic control system.

"I fully appreciate this was a crime scene and the police need to carry out the investigation properly, but we are now one month away from the crime and nothing appears to be happening. Surely some priority should given to getting the debris removed and re-building work started, even though it a ‘listed’ building.

"The prosperity of the traders in Beaminster is being put at great risk due to the bad traffic management and the complete lack of activity in getting repairs done to the building. Once businesses have failed they do not come back, so it’s possible we could lose some of our wonderful shops and traders.”

A spokesman for Dorset County Council said: “Following a raid on the cash point in Beaminster, barriers surround the site to protect it. These are jutting into the road making it a single carriageway in the centre of town. To ensure traffic flows there are temporary lights.

“The county council, CG Fry and sons, West Dorset District Council (WDDC) and Beaminster Town Council are working with the insurance company to, where possible, reduce the impact of the reconstruction work of the property. Our Highways team are looking at improving the current traffic management scheme with the addition of extra signage, road markings and potentially diverting HGVs. C G Fry will use the closed Fleet Street entrance as their works site.

“However, Single lane traffic on the A3066 through Beaminster will remain for the foreseeable future. The barrier protects the site and reduces the risk of damage to the scaffolding. We are co-ordinating  weekly updates on progress to keep residents and traders informed about what is happening.”