A PRESTIGIOUS cycle race which put Colchester on the national stage had a bad affect on the town’s businesses.

Thousands of spectators lined the route from Bury St Edmunds to Colchester to watch some of the kings of the cycling world take part in the Tour of Britian.

But as roads were closed off to make way for the riders, businesses report a severe drop in trade.

Sue Lissimore, Colchester Council’s shadow portfolio holder for economy and tourism, carried out a survey of 150 businesses in and around the town centre.

Replies are still coming in but of the businesses surveyed in person, 68 per cent of businesses said trade was quieter than usual.

Sixteen per cent of traders said business was the same with only four per cent reporting an increase and these were food outlets.

One shop said it did just a quarter of its normal Friday business.

Now calls are being made for more talks to be held to ensure all parties are catered for if Colchester is chosen to host another cycling event.

For more on this story, see this week's Essex County Standard.