Some businesses units at Killacourt claim the venture does not work in the winter.

They say there is not enough footfall for it to be worth remaining open and feel part of the problem is down to a lack of signage in the town centre directing people to the units.

Another problem highlighted is that people just walk by as the main path through the Killacourt does not pass directly outside the business units.

There are currently four businesses units of the 12 that are available to let and another one is due to become vacant as they have handed their notice in.

One trader, who does not want to be named, said: “The business units do not work in the winter. Local people do not come down apart from dog walkers and they do not buy anything. It is soul destroying.

“It is costing me more to open than it is to have the business closed. It has been a disaster. “The location does not generate the all-year round footfall but the town council expect us to be open all-year round.

“We do now have a large sign on the side of the top unit, visible from East Street, but it took a year of asking the council, to get approval for that.”

The owner of Bear’s Pause, which sells handmade gifts, added: “Business was alright in the summer but I will be shutting in January and February because there is no one here.

“The main pathway being opposite mean people just walk past. The business units are also pointing in the wrong way. They are pointed uphill rather than downhill so people are less able to see us.

“On the whole the town council has been good to me but they could do better

“The Christmas market, which we hoped would attract people down to the Killacourt was cancelled.

“We were told it was because of the weather but I suspect it was because of the lack of take up of the pitches because they were asking too much.”

Nicole Grant, who operated the Beet Box Café, gave up the business unit following problems with the town council.

She said: “We left because Newquay Town Council were a nightmare to deal with.

“It was impossible to run the business as we were not permitted any storage, were not allowed even a two foot high A board, no signage, no outside seating.

“But the toxic relationship with the town council’s working party was why we left.

“They also froze our alcohol license application as we hadn’t told them we would be applying, which resulted in us losing £180.

“In the end we had to pay £4,000 to get out of our lease. All in all it was a really disappointing experience.

“The business units are too off the beaten track in that there is little reason to go in that direction.

“At least on the high street people are walking past.

“Footfall is definitely a problem in my opinion as well as layout and the poor management from Newquay Town Council in the first year or so.

“Half the events they plan for the Killacourt get cancelled or moved to a different location. I believe it was a good idea but has been poorly managed and now left to the wayside.

“Also the plans initially had the main path pass literally outside of the retail units.

“But when they were built they were not put on the main path. A lot of traders feel this has made a huge impact on trade.”

But not all traders at the Killacourt are having a tough time.

Barrie Phillips, who owns Tea & Leaves, a luxury loose tea business, said: “I’m doing well.

“There could be more signage in the town centre to point people down here but other than that we do get loads of returning customers. I suppose a lot of it is down to what you are selling.”

Sam Woods, who owns By the Sea jewellery studio, added: “It has been amazing for me.

“I did not have the business full-time before having the business unit so pursuing this has been my dream job.

“This place facilitates that for me.

“I do have concerns about footfall buts its going well for me but I also feel it is important to have an online presence especially in a seasonal seaside town like Newquay.”

Newquay Town Council says it is not down to them as the landlord to help create footfall.

A spokesman said: “Newquay Town Council are the landlords and it’s not our responsibility to create footfall.

“The tenants would do this as any other retail outlet in the town. The main path was never to run by the units and in fact we did put in a separate Oltoco footpath in front of the units.

“Newquay Town Council, like any landlord, does not comment on individual tenancy arrangements and relationships, and proactively supports and works with tenants to ensure our various responsibilities are met and tenants are meeting their own lease obligations.

“We would urge the individual(s) concerned to make contact with us in order to understand their specific issues.

“The council has robust and well-established processes for its leases to raise concerns and seek support.

“This is in addition to providing units that are significantly below market value and designed for someone to test their business before deciding whether to occupy a private rental unit in the town.

“In doing this, the council does currently filter applications for the units in order to try and ensure the business does not directly compete with an existing business within the town and provides a great deal of resource to continually explore new ideas and suggestions for improvements on the Killacourt.

“It is a matter of public record that the council has invested significantly in the site, at the heart of the town centre and further supports the area through a range of events and activities that generate footfall in this key location.

“Additional signage, new recycling bins, regular and on-going site promotion and working with partners to provide a free water refill station are just some of the many enhancements the council has delivered to this specific site over the last 18 months.”