Perth Road Computers reported an 80% drop in trade during work between Seafield Road and Step Row.

Owner Jim Hart said he was relieved the road was open again.

“Hopefully my custom will pick up again,” he said.

“Compensation is something I’ve been looking into, but it seems it is going to cost a couple of hundred pounds to get my accountant to get everything the gas board have asked for in support of the claim. They seem to be making it pretty difficult.”

Parrot Cafe owner Val Ireland said it had been a long hard summer.

“I am happy. It’s been a very difficult period — we have suffered from three consecutive years of work here,” she said.

Kirsty Thomson, manager of Utopia Costumes, said, “We are delighted to see the road open and traffic outside again. It means there’s a chance our passing trade will return.

“Things have never picked up since the works began and it’s actually seemed to get quieter the further down the road the work moved. It has been very slow recently.

“The Gas Board have said no-one will be compensated until the work is complete — but for some that will be too late.”

A vintage bus took Lord Provost John Letford along the road for the ceremonial re-opening.

Mr Letford said, “I’m very pleased to be here to see the Perth Road re-opened. It’s a great boost for the area and for local retailers.

“Perth Road business owners have put up with a lot of inconvenience while the work has been going on and the news that it has been completed ahead of schedule will be very welcome for all of them, I’m sure.

“I’d like to congratulate the community council for all of their hard work during this difficult period and I’m hopeful that as people begin to revisit the west end, its retailers will notice a marked increase in their custom.”

City Council planning and transport convener Fraser Macpherson said he was delighted disruption to the Perth Road/Nethergate shopping precinct was now at an end.

“This has been a very difficult period, particularly for local businesses, but also with the inconvenience to residents,” he said. “I think everyone appreciates the gas main work was absolutely necessary, but I’m pleased it has been finished ahead of schedule and that the Perth Road east of Sinderins and Nethergate west of South Tay Street can return to normal.”

A spokesman for Scotland Gas Networks said they were pleased the work had come to an end.

“Scotland Gas Networks would like to thank local residents and businesses for their patience and co-operation whilst we carried out this essential work to repair gas mains,” he said.

“Where possible we tried to minimise inconvenience through working weekends and extended hours and we have completed the work six weeks ahead of schedule.”