A WIMBORNE greengrocer says they may have to shut up shop after nearly 15 years, unless a bridge between the town centre and Waitrose goes ahead.

Carolyn Nash, who run Minster Greens, in High Street, says trade has dropped significantly since the superstore opened last July, despite recent claims of increased footfall.

She might not renew her three-year lease this summer, but says a deal being reached on the Crown Mead pedestrian bridge could save them. Waitrose, who will have to pay East Dorset District Council £150,000 if it’s not built by February 2014, say they are still in talks with the landowner.

Mrs Nash said: “We’ve seen no increase in footfall – quite the reverse.

“A lot of us in the High Street have plenty of time to talk about why, although we wish we didn’t.

“I’m optimistic we’ll get the bridge within a year and I’ve always thought our success in the face of Waitrose was linked to it.

“It’s not far to walk but it’s all about perception and I’d really feel like I was at the centre of town again.”

Last month’s bad weather and the Post Office closure after 2008’s fire contributed to bad trade, she says, but Waitrose brought a marked change.

“I think we have lost quite a specific client group – the school mums,” Mrs Nash said.

“We used to have a nice busy period when all the young mums would come in with their babies before they went to collect their children from school.

“That ‘top up shop’ market of popping in for bread, milk or bits they needed for the tea has just completely disappeared.”

A spokesman for Waitrose said they are committed to building the bridge to ‘encourage linked shopping trips’, but negotiations can be drawn out as both sides, try to get the best terms and costs.

In the meantime shoppers will vote with their feet, Mrs Nash said.

“I don’t mind it being known that we’re struggling,” she said. “People should have the facts and they will get the shops they deserve.”