Shops in central Reading say they have seen a huge drop in trade due to a development project that's had scaffolding up for years. 

Earlier this year, site owners Thackeray Estates won approval to create more than 100 short-stay apartments, six new shops, and a 163-bed hotel incorporating The Bugle pub in Friar Street. 

Its meant the closure of an iconic independent art and gift shop that share the building.

Arts shop But Is It Art has announced it be closing after more than 50 years in business. 

Next door at Mobile Kingdom, business owner Salman Zahib said he had seen a 70 percent drop in walk-in customers after blue boardings were fitted to parts of the development's scaffolding. 

The scaffolding had led to an increase in other visitors, Salman said - as the scaffolding seems to have attracted pigeons, leaving large amounts of droppings on the business's front door step. 

"I am totally fed up," Salman said. 

"Customers won't come in due to the bird poo. You can see in front of my shop - it's like tent poles. 

"Why has the council allowed for this to happen. There's already plenty of hotels in the area."

Salman plans to close Mobile Kingdom on January 12. 

He says that he had been told the scaffolding would be up for around nine months in 2021 - but it remains in place. 

The scaffolding has had to remain erected 'longer than originally anticipated' due to the amount of restoration and repair work required on the building, according to a spokesperson from Thackeray Estates.

The developer's representative said: "We’re trying to restore the building to its former glory and that has required a lot more work than was originally forecast.

"We have tried to do what we can to speed up the process but I’m sure you’ll appreciate giving this level of care to a building takes time."

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They added: "The finished scheme will have multiple retail units and there are no plans for a bar outside of the hotel."

But Is It Art will close its physical store in January - but customers will continue to be able to purchase its quirky array of gifts. 

Customers will be able to buy the shop's selection from its website butisitart.co.uk.

Owner Jackie said the business had seen a 'big increase' in people visiting the store since its closure announcement, adding that all the comments of support had left staff 'emotional'.