THE owner of a popular function room in Darwen says roadworks outside his premises have cost him ‘thousands of pounds’.

Gareth Mayoh, manager at Craiglands Function Rooms, in Watery Lane, said there had been a downturn in business because the road outside had been closed for four months.

He said: “People don’t want to hire our function room because it looks like a UFO has landed outside.

“Nobody wants to have a party here because of the state of it and we have lost out on so much business.”

Mr Mayoh, who also lives on the premises with his wife and two children, said he did not receive an official warning before the sewage diversion work was started by United Utilities.

“A few weeks into the job the council posted a letter through the door stating that work was going ahead and that’s all I heard,” he said.

“I didn’t have time to plan an alternative option. We don’t have passing trade anymore and people are still ringing to ask whether we are open.”

But Coun Dave Harling, executive member for regeneration at Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, said it was ‘a must’ that the busy road was closed.

He said: “The work was essential but we worked with Mr Mayoh to add signs, informing people that business is still open as usual.

“We have also removed double yellow lines so that customers can park outside.”

United Utilities confirmed their contract with the council would end in March, when their work would be completed.