Struggling Seascale shop owners have welcomed Sellafield's decision to reopen its Calder Gate entrance at lunchtimes - but worries remain over the traders' long term future.

Site bosses previously shut the gate for security reasons but have now conceded and will open it on a temporary basis from Monday between 11am and 1pm.

Shop owners however still believe a permanent closure will kill off their trade.

Michael Dunne, who owns Pudding Lane cafe in Seascale with his wife Helen, said: "Common sense has prevailed, it's a small mercy and means we can set in place contingency plans. Beforehand we had been left high and dry.

"We're led to believe it will close completely in the next two years. In the long term if business declines we will have to close. I don't see how if they close the gate we will be able to continue."

Originally, business owners, who were not informed about the change, noticed a steep drop in passing trade after the gate was shut at 8.30am.

Pudding Lane, Gosforth Village Store, Gosforth Bakery and A Williams & Son butchers, Seascale, all faced the same struggle.

David Moore, chairman of West Cumbria Sites Stakeholder Group, which scrutinises the nuclear industry in West Cumbria, said: "It's been a long process but now they have conceded.

"They said it was cost saving but we asked if it was worth the cost of what you're doing to local businesses."

"It was flagged up as an issue raised by security. By shutting a gate you need less security, which is cost saving. We put forward that they have a good neighbour role to play."

Coun Moore said the businesses are delighted after what has been a really stressful period.

"It was like waking up on a Monday morning and someone has halved your wage packet," he said.

"I'm worried the word temporary is in there but it gives us a window of opportunity to sit down and look at the options.

"The disappointment is it took five weeks. It could have been eliminated with early consultation."

A Sellafield Ltd spokesman said: "This temporary measure is designed to allow the local community time to adjust to the new arrangements.

"During this time, we are inviting local traders to share with us ideas of how they can better access customers on the Sellafield site once lunchtime restrictions at Calder Gate are reinstated."