A CAF owner claimed today he had suffered a disastrous slump in business since York's Stonebow House was shrouded in scaffolding for repairs.

The complex in Stonebow - dubbed by many residents as the ugliest building in York -has begun a 12-week programme of repairs to damaged concrete.

Workmen have put up scaffolding, covered by grey plastic sheeting, all around the site.

Aziz Said, owner of the Jorvik Caf, situated in the heart of the complex, said this had resulted in his takings falling by two-thirds - at what should be his best time of year for business.

"It's unbelievable," he said. "I am not making enough to pay the wages.

"I and my wife cannot sleep at night because we are so worried.

"I only took £156 on Saturday, when it should be nearer £600. Some people have thought they are knocking down the building. Others with families are worried about walking under the scaffolding because they think there might be falling debris."

He claimed he had received no warning about the scaffolding - only a letter telling him that repairs would be carried out.

Mr Said also claimed that agents for his landlord had promised to put up a big Business As Usual sign last week, but failed to do so. He said this would help, but he would also like a reduction in his rent and compensation for loss of business.

Other businesses in Stonebow also complained about the scaffolding.

Tim Hornsby, boss of the live music venue Fibbers, said business had suffered on club nights, Friday and Saturday night, when people looked down Stonebow from Whip-Ma-Whop-Ma-Gate and saw nothing but a shrouded building.

Sue Blakey, manager of the Halifax estate agency, said business had not been directly affected, but the shrouding covered over window displays, which people could normally look at while waiting for a bus.

A spokeswoman for DTZ, wich acts as agents for landlord Evans of Leeds, said Evans had recently started repair work for structural reasons.

"At present there is temporary signage on site informing the public that business continues as usual and arrangements are under way to fit larger, more permanent signs," she said.

She claimed that all tenants had been informed in writing of these works well in advance and had also been visited by a surveyor from DTZ, on site, prior to the work commencing.

"Mr Said was visited last week and advised that he will be compensated for any loss of earnings to his business on production of supporting information.

"To date DTZ have not received any details from Mr Said in order for compensation to be arranged."

Updated: 09:59 Tuesday, August 16, 2005