Scaffolding around an historic building in Ipswich town centre has criticised by a café owner, who says it is affecting trade at the busiest time of the year.
Ancient House in Butter Market has been covered in scaffolding from the front and side of the building stretching down St Stephen's Lane.
In a post on social media, Ancient House branded the scaffolding as "ridiculous" while it hosts events over the Christmas period, and plays a big part in the Ipswich Winter Weekender event.
Jacey's Coffee House, located in St Stephen's Lane, recently celebrated 24 years of serving the people of Ipswich, but the owners Colin and Jackie Williams have said that the council "does not care" about them.
Mr Williams said: "If they cared, they would have at least consulted with us about the scaffolding, and worked with us to find a sensible time to do this 'essential' work.
"Footfall is down because no one wants to walk underneath this scaffolding.
"They would rather go through the Buttermarket Shopping Centre than through this.
"Christmas is a very busy period for us, almost all us little coffee shops pay our rent through January and February from what we make in late November and December.
"We've had a hard year, this is one of the quietest we have had in 24 years, and this doesn't help."
Mr Williams did, however, say that the scaffolders were "lovely" and they did the work while Jacey's Coffee House is closed on a Monday.
He added: "As it's only for repainting, we can't see why it couldn't have been done earlier in the year, or left until the new year.
"To do it now makes the street look ugly and is off-putting to all consumers of Ipswich town.
"This does nothing to improve Ipswich.
"It's Christmas, a time of lights and decoration, indeed the busiest time of the year.
"Would it not have been better to showcase our most iconic building at this time of year, rather than shrouding it in scaffolding."
A spokesman for Ipswich Borough Council said: "Scaffolding around the Ancient House is in place for the repair and redecoration of lime plaster on this Grade I Listed building."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here