A Carlisle bed centre boss believes he has lost about £100,000 in business since his shop was forced to close because of the crumbling Central Plaza Hotel saga six weeks ago.

Andrew Gale runs Carlisle Bed Centre on Victoria Viaduct where the derelict hotel stands.

He was forced to shut up shop when the neighbouring Central Plaza Hotel fell into a serious state of disrepair.

Mr Gale said he has not received any compensation since his shop shut and is worried about the long term damage to his business and others on the Viaduct.

He said: "I reckon I have lost in the region of £100,000. I have sought legal advice.

"The thing about taking legal action is it's costly. It can rack up to be hundreds of thousands of pounds and usually ends up in the High Court.

"I'm certainly looking at all avenues as I still don't really know when we will be able to open again."

Colin Glover, leader of Carlisle City Council, first wrote to the city's MP John Stevenson on May 10 asking for central government to step in and help.

"We asked for some interim support for the businesses in addition to assisting the council," he said.

"I understand the Secretary of State was looking at the issue and civil servants have been asking our officers questions but we have not heard anything since."

Mr Glover was unable to say how much the emergency repair work is costing.

He said: "Costs are mounting all the time. They are escalating significantly and we are having to spend money on a building we don't own. That money would have been available to spend on local services.

"The contractors are working at a great pace and are making excellent progress but we still don't know when the Viaduct will be able to open again."

Mr Stevenson was unavailable for comment when The Cumberland News tried to contact him.

In the meantime, the council says all businesses have been offered support through Cumbria Chamber of Commerce.

A city council spokeswoman said: "We have facilitated the opportunity for some businesses to move to alternative accommodation.

"Although the former Central Plaza building is not in the city council’s ownership, we appreciate the importance of the site and have been working hard to support potential development."

Contractors, working to make the building safe, have now removed 50 tonnes of masonry from the building.

Work on the left gable end of the building is now complete.

Two giant cranes have been working on the site to remove the loose stone.

The council spokeswoman added: "Works are now underway on the right gable end.

"Once this is completed, the final stage of works will be the removal of the mansard roof over the front section of the building.

"Bush Brow reopened at 4pm on Monday and every effort is being made to ensure that the remaining works are completed as quickly as possible."

Laser Quest gaming centre was able to open its doors this week and other businesses on Bush Brow were also able to move back in.