A COUPLE say they fear for the future of their businesses after multi-million pound plans to redevelop the area were given the go-ahead.

Sue Gathercole and husband Ron have run Independent Therapy Solutions on Manor Street, Braintree, for more than 15 years.

They are worried the disruption to Manor Street during a huge revamp will put them at risk of closure.

Plans for a £30million regeneration of Manor Street are due to get underway in March.

The plans include a new twin-level car park, bigger bus interchange, a ‘Livewell’ hub, homes, shops, restaurants and a hotel.

On March 1, the current car park will close and not reopen while works are taking place.

Sue and Roy are worried that a lack of parking will cause their therapists to go elsewhere for work.

Sue said: “We are worried about where our therapists and customers will park.

“Our therapists come to us so if they have nowhere to park they will go somewhere else to work.

“That’s part of our income – we would have to close.

“We have all ages come in, even children and we don’t want them to be disturbed.

“We are open until nine some nights. We don’t want out customers walking around in the dark looking for somewhere to park.”

Independent Therapy Solutions run counselling and psychotherapy for anxiety, trauma, phobias, stress and depression.

They also provide complementary and massage therapy such as reflexology and sports massages.

Ron added: “Our windows will vibrate with all the works going on – it will disturb all the sessions.

“Even the boys in Barclays next door won’t have anywhere to park.”

Braintree Council says disruption during construction will be kept to a minimum.

Councillor John McKee said: “The team have worked really hard to minimise disruption during construction.

“The buses won’t be leaving from miles away, they are a short distance from where they were.

“As for car parking, it has been thought of.

“George Yard is not used so it will be good to get that used. People can also use the council car parking alternatives as well as Sainsburys and Tesco’s.

“It will seem a long time but once it is over people will think what was all the fuss about.”