Bosses at a Bolton garden centre have installed their own road sign to keep business levels up while a nearby bridge is closed for roadworks...

The Giants Seat Garden Centre, in Red Rock Lane near Kearsley Road, had asked engineers for improved signage coming from the Bury side of the A667 — before taking action themselves.

Alan Kidd, 52, a partner in the family business, said they spent about £200 on a yellow sign at the junction of Ringley Road West and Outwood Road.

Ringley Bridge is set to be closed until mid-December and Mr Kidd said he feared the existing “Road Closed” signs give the wrong impression and could threaten sales.

He said: “They’ve warned of the bridge closure a mile-and-a-half ahead but you can still get to the garden centre going that way, by forking left before the bridge.

“The issue was that it is not clear which businesses were still open.

“They obviously don’t want people going towards the bridge because they’d have to turn round and it would cause chaos.

“With road closed ahead on signs, we’ve had people turn back and then ring us to ask whether we’re still open or not.”

Giants Seat has virtually sold out of summer stock because of the hot weather and the surge in sales prior to the bridge closure. It is now in full production of autumn plants.

Mr Kidd said access to Giants Seat, which pays business rates to Bolton Council despite having a Manchester postcode, has been properly signed from the Bolton side, even though the route has been blocked.

He thanked Bolton councillor Liam Irving for his work in helping local businesses manage while Ringley Bridge is closed.

Mr Kidd said he understood why Ringley Bridge had been closed but added that local businesses must be supported through the period of upheaval.

A spokesman for Bury Council said they had no problem with Giants Seat putting up its own sign and that highways officers had not been approached by engineers voicing any concerns.