Kim Beresford says he has seen a huge downturn in trade at the Old Poets Corner, in Ashover, since work started on the gas main on the B6036 on Monday.
He says he was not notified about the closure and could not advise customers of alternative routes to the village.
National Grid has apologised and said they will learn from the experience.
Serious problems
Mr Beresford described the road as "the artery of life" in the village.
"Being in the area that we are, we are very dependent on passing trade," he said.
"We've got a good reputation but how much effort are people going to make to come to you if the road's closed?"
Stephanie Van Rosse of National Grid, said normal procedure was to only notify properties that are directly in front of the roadworks.
'Open for business'
She said: "The only way we can replace this gas main is to close that road.
"In this case it [normal procedure] hasn't worked for us and it has caused disruption to the village and businesses, for which we do apologise.
"I think this is something we're going to have to look at. In hindsight we should have notified the parish council, the villagers and businesses."
Ms Van Rosse added that notices were being put up in the area saying that businesses were open as usual.
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