Early Sunday morning police were called to assess an unsafe building on Market Street, Longton.

However it has now been confirmed by Stoke-on-Trent City Council that businesses along Market Street have contacted the authority in the weeks leading up to the partial collapse outlining their concerns.

The landowner in April applied for planning permission to change the building to accommodate six self-contained units across floors one and two.

Despite applying for permission in April, local business reports that work started on the property as early as November.

Several issues such as a window that has been hanging off the building and a ledge which looked like it was hanging off raised alarm bells for businesses.

Local business owner Ian Stone from Ian Stone Jewellers has had his access completely  blocked preventing him and customers entering this shop.

He said: "I came in Saturday morning and it was only one lane and Sunday it was like that. For me being self employed, no employment means no money because I can't claim anything. 

"I've heard it could be two weeks before the council comes and assesses the building. I can't contact customers, I can't phone suppliers because it is all locked away. "

Noshers on Market Street which is still open said it has been reported to the council several times. Due to the road closures potential customers now have to walk around Longton to access the sandwich shop and they have noticed the impact.

Joanne Knowles from Noshers said: "It has been reported to the council several times, we know a customer who has reported it twice. It is lucky it happened when it did because if it had happened on Saturday afternoon it would have killed someone. 

"Nobody has been out this morning to tell us anything which is disgusting."

The issue has also been reported to MP for Stoke-on-Trent South, Jack Brereton who said he reported the issue to the council over a week ago.

Mr Brereton said: "I reported following their concerns that the building was in a very poor state, basically we said that there were bits hanging off. I reported it to the council over a week ago and I am concerned that nothing appears to have been done.

"Obviously since then the building has collapsed so it is really concerning that I did report those issues that obviously local businesses raised with me because they were concerned and the council doesn't seem to have taken them as seriously as they should have done.

"This road is a key road in the town centre so to have this closed now for however long, is going to have a major impact on the town centre and local businesses and local shop owners. 

"I've just had one come into my office and basically it has been completely closed off because of the barriers that have been erected. 

"So I do think they really do need to get their act together and get this situation sorted out. He's been told it could be two weeks before anybody even goes and starts to assess the situation which I think is frankly unacceptable. We need to see action immediately."

Councillor Duncan Walker, cabinet member for planning, climate change and regeneration, said: "We have received numerous complaints about the building on Market Street, Longton, in the past and have been working closely with the owner to ensure the building is safe.

"Last week, officers visited the site and fencing was put up around the building and further investigations were carried out. Unfortunately, in that time, the state of the building has continued to deteriorate and we have now contacted the owner, and their agents, to set out a plan for the future to secure the building and ensure public safety.

"If the owner fails to take action immediately then we will need to carry out a robust assessment of the building, and the adjoining buildings, to establish the next steps.

"We understand that this is concerning for residents and businesses in the town but we will continue to put pressure on the owner to ensure they take appropriate action, quickly, to prevent the cost of this work falling to the tax-payer."