COUNCILLORS have won a year-long battle to re-open a bricked-up alleyway in Frinton – but a shopkeeper says the move will cripple his business.

King’s Alley used to run between Connaught Avenue and Old Way in Frinton.

It was bricked up last year and incorporated into the shop running alongside it – craft store Artishack.

But after it was bricked up Tendring Council and Frinton and Walton Town Council launched a campaign to have the alley re-opened and designated as a public right of way.

Their original application was rejected by Essex County Council, but the path has now been confirmed as a public footpath after an appeal.

Tendring Council environment boss Nick Turner said: “This is a victory for the people of Frinton and for common sense.

“It was very clear that this passageway had long enjoyed a public right of way and therefore should be designated as a footpath."

But the owner of Connaught Avenue shop Artishack, Martin Whitrod, claims he will go out of business if the move goes ahead.

The alleyway is currently a part of his shop, incorporated into the building to make it larger.

He said: “This decision is incredibly upsetting. If they convert it back I will go out of business.

“The shop would have to be closed while the work went ahead and I can’t afford to absorb that hit."

He has set up a petition against the alley which can be signed in his store.