Shoppers who brave Blackheath's roadworks are promised the personal touch by grateful shopkeepers and market traders

The transformation of Blackheath, which will include a new bus terminal, saw 20 weeks of disruption between 6pm and 6am until this week, when the work shifted to the day.

Businesses are offering shoppers new delivery services, personal bag carriers and their gratitude for life if they keep returning to Blackheath whilst several roads are closed ahead as part of the transformation of the town.

Sean Russell, from Big Sean's Deals in Blackheath Market, posted an emotional social media plea for customers to stick with the businesses.

He said: "This will be a testing time for all traders and shopkeepers. But please don't give up on us - we need you more than ever during these 20 weeks."

He added: "We will still be open as usual and will help our customers as much as possible by carrying any heavy shopping back to the car park for customers. All car parks are open during this time."

He added: "I know they need to be doing these works but to be doing different roads at once seems to be more painful than needs be."

Across the road Farmshop Butchers has launched a new delivery service to combat the road closures.

Harry, from the shop, said: "The current roadworks outside the shop are causing quite the disturbance and we understand how frustrating this may be when you come shopping.

"You can use Sainsbury's car park and the market car park however you can no longer drive directly outside the shop to park up and pop in as you have been able to do so before.

"With this, we have made the decision to offer a delivery service (minimum order of £20). We are fully stocked with all of our usual products and plenty of offers available. If you want to take advantage of delivery please call 07730784658 to place your order."

Harry stressed small businesses are disproportionately hit by drawn-out disturbances to trade, and shoppers need to back independent retailers to keep them on the high street.

He said: "We appreciate all of you who continue to support us during this period and we hope to see many of you still popping in. Remember, us as a small business find times like this very difficult. Use locals shops or lose them - this isn't just a post for our customers, it's to keep the town alive and support us as a local business."

Shane Coley, owner of Artisan Microbar, says takings were hit hard by the evening road closures - and seeing the name spelt wrong on the temporary diversion sign did nothing to improve his mood.

He said: "Not only did Sandwell Council decide to close Blackheath every night for completely unnecessary roadworks, but they can’t even spell when doing temporary signage! I suppose Artisam Bar does sound similar to Artisan Micro Bar - I do wonder who’s actually working in the council's planning and organisation department.

"It's affecting trade really badly and we are not being offered any compensation. On weeknights from 6.30pm we are literally only getting one or two people through the door and are having to close early because we are empty.

"No-one can get a taxi into town. The buses are diverted - you just can't get anywhere near by public transport. Our takings are down 50 per cent."

Shane, who also runs next door's Artisan Expresso Bar, echoed Sean and Harry's call for people to back independent businesses in this time of strife.

There were celebrations when Blackheath clinched a slice of the Government's Towns Fund programme when so many other neighbouring areas failed. When finished a new bus interchange around Market Place will cater for all town centre services along with a new landscaped public space, replacing the existing traffic island.

Sandwell Council admitted big projects always caused "inconvenience".

A spokesperson said: “When major public realm improvement works such as this are undertaken we are aware that there may be some inconvenience experienced in the short- to medium-term.

"However, any disruption is minimised wherever possible and is measured against the longer-term benefits of the scheme. In this case, night-time road closures in Blackheath town centre are also due in part to health and safety reasons particularly for pedestrians.”