Defiant businesses in Ventnor have united to remind Islanders that the Isle of Wight town is open, as they called for more support and warned: "use us or lose us".

Leeson Road, one of the main routes into Ventnor, has been shut since a landslip in December and there have been questions over whether it will reopen again.

The town's businesses have said the closure has resulted in a drop in footfall, and some say they have seriously considered shutting.

Speaking to the County Press, representatives from ten businesses came together to plea for Islanders to continue visiting the town.

They agreed there has been a "lack of support" from the Isle of Wight Council, Ventnor Town Council (VTC) and Island Roads.

VTC insists it is 'proactively engaging' with businesses and the IW Council and Island Roads say they are committed to 'finding solutions'.

Isle of Wight County Press: From left: Debbie, Aonghas, Marushka, Ross, Kirsty, Pascale, Francis, Lesley, Kirsty, Tracey and Hannah. From left: Debbie, Aonghas, Marushka, Ross, Kirsty, Pascale, Francis, Lesley, Kirsty, Tracey and Hannah. (Image: Isle of Wight County Press)

Kirsty Chapman, from Better Days Cafe, warned: "Once these shops close, they won't reopen.

"We need some financial aid."

The businesses said signage was "inadequate" and meant people assume Ventnor is closed completely.

Just last week, restaurant The Millbay and shop Lesleys Nutshell took it upon themselves to install signs at Whiteley Bank, reminding drivers the town is open.

Lesley Genge from Lesleys Nutshell said: "We're not getting anything from the East Wight.

"They're coming to the road closed sign and turning around. It needs big signage."

To further support businesses Ross Honeybourne, from Magpie Blu, called for two hours free parking in the town's car parks and said this has been suggested to both VTC and the IW Council.

Businesses said the closure has left people in the town feeling "claustrophobic and desolate" and is also affecting mental health.

Marushka Tziroulnikova said she has seriously considered shutting her shop, The Athanor.

She said: "They talk about safety, what about business owners' mental health?

"What will happen because we continue to pay the rent, electricity, the taxes?"

At a meeting at the end of last month, residents were told Leeson Road itself had not moved but should remain closed as a precaution.

Artemis and The Mermaid owner Hannah Thompson questioned why it couldn't be opened minimally.

The IW Council said it is due to install new monitoring equipment on the road and only after data has been collected can it consider the options. 

In the meantime, it said it is investigating 'local incentives' to ensure that businesses in Ventnor are "not disadvantaged".

To ensure alternative routes into the town are available, all roadworks in the area are on hold except for emergency works, a spokesperson said.

For Ventnor Town Council, mayor Steve Cooper, said he has asked the Isle of Wight Association of Local Councils (IWALC), to call on the IW Council to take all necessary measures "to reinstate the road".

"The very survival of our town depends on it being opened", he said.

He said he is also liaising with a local group to put pressure on relevant bodies to find a "lasting solution".

Ventnor continues to be open and is accessible via Wroxall and Whitwell.