TRADERS at Clevedon Craft Centre are appealing for people to continue to support the long-running facility as a six-week road closure threatens to damage trade.

Crafts people at the Court Lane base rely on a number of visitors coming into the centre from the busy, Tickenham Road between Tickenham and Clevedon.

However, from Monday the bridge in Court Lane, which leads from Tickenham Road to the Moor Lane centre, will be closed for six weeks for Highways Agency maintenance work to be carried out.

Gail Clarke, a painter based at the Art 4 You studio at Clevedon Craft Centre, said: “Some studios have already closed following the snow around Christmas time. This could mean the closure of more studios.

“This is your local craft centre. It has been around for 40 years and unless you support it, it won’t be here any more.

“Our biggest trade comes from people who are visiting either Clevedon Court or Tyntesfield and decide to come here as well.”

The craft centre traders plan to put up a banner redirecting traffic to the facility during the road closure and hope this will encourage visitors to make the extra journey to see their work.

Liz Riley, who runs Love Unlimited Ceramics, said: “If people are not local and have made the effort to come to Clevedon, they may follow the diversion signs or they may think they won’t bother.

“We are trying to raise awareness that everything is still on going and you can still get to us.”

Clevedon Craft Centre celebrates its 40th anniversary this year and in that time, 72 different crafts people have used its studios to hone and promote their skills.

It is currently home to jewellery makers, artists, ceramicists, a leather-smith, an embroiderer and a handbag and accessory maker. There is also a tea room offering homemade cakes.

The Court Lane bridge over the M5 will be closed during the day, Mondays to Fridays for six weeks, beginning on Monday.

Gail added: “It would have been much better for us if the road closure had been during the winter.

“Everyone here is trying to make a living.

“This is our biggest season that the road works will be going through.”

* Clevedon Craft Centre now has a new website. To find out more visit www.clevedoncraftcentre.co.uk