Almost 30 shops lie empty in the city centre and several traders say they are on the brink of ruin as trade is so bad.

They blame the dramatic fall on the credit crunch and building work at the old market site.

The areas hardest hit are Brook Street, where five shops are boarded up, Zetland Street, where three have shut, and Teall Street, where four are closed and a further two are selling off the last of their stock.

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Wajid Hussein, 35, owns In 2 Deep, on Teall Street, and expects bailiffs this week after a shocking 90 per cent drop in sales.

He said: "I'm devastated – I've lost my livelihood and I'm worried about how I'm going to feed my kids and pay the mortgage."

Shahzadeh Momtaz, 74, opened his shop, Options, on Teall Street, 17 years ago but last week he put up the closing signs.

The owner of Eden Dress Agency, on Zetland Street, has laid off staff and closed one floor of her business to cut costs.

Amanda Hudson, 45, said: "This area is like a construction site and I think people see the signs and work and think there is nothing up here."

And Ruth Tate's cafe, on Teall Street, is surrounded by empty, boarded-up shops,

She said: "I've been here 18 years and I don't think we will survive – people look down the street, see what looks like a bomb site and think there's nothing open."

Coun Mike Walker said: "It's very important those responsible in the council do everything they can to support businesses that are struggling."

But there is light at the end of the tunnel and some businesses such as Deli Central, on Cross Square, are expanding.

Co-owner Jean Sykes, 51, said: "We're opening a new shop in the Bull Ring as we see that area as the most vibrant in the city.

"There is a lot happening in Wakefield and other businesses are expanding too – it's not all doom, gloom and misery."

first, Wakefield's District Development Agency, and Wakefield Council are now working to try and help suffering businesses.

Andy Wallhead, the council's corporate director for regeneration, culture and sport, said: "We feel for all businesses in these difficult times and are offering all the support we can."

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