ANGRY Wallace Square shopkeepers say roadworks on Palmerston Street are bad for business.
Red Pepper cafe owner George Lambropoulos complained that businesses were not given enough time to prepare for the effect of the works, which began on March 20.
“They’ve killed our business,” he said. “We were told it was only going to be a two-day interruption. I don’t think they have organised it properly; it should have been done in two parts.”
Mr Lambropoulos said the closure of three major roads had caused most residents to think businesses were closed.
“There’s no doubt it will be great and we don’t want to sound like we don’t want it once it is finished, but my concern has more to do about how they communicated it to us.”
The 12-week project to reconstruct the entire streetscape on both sides of Palmerston Street between High and Unitt streets is due to be finished in late May.
Mr Lambropoulos said he would lose at least $5000 a week in profits. He has also had to reduce the hours for staff members.
Fellow businessman Terry Walters said Melton Council should provide compensation. His games shop, Tezza’s Games, opened in late January. Mr Walters said he had found the disruption “very difficult”.
“There’s been no passing traffic. I’ve only been here for a little while so I missed out on the consultations … I didn’t know it was going to happen.
“Even if there was a token gesture, that would have been nice from council. I completely agree with the finished product, but it is a big ask without any compensation at all.”
Doghouse Grooming manager Lori McGill said her business hadn’t been greatly affected because appointments were pre-booked.
“We know that plenty of our customers might drive past and, from the way it looks, they could think we’re closed.”
The council’s growth and sustainability manager, Brett Luxford, said the works would enhance the area and provide cafes and restaurants with a great area to provide outdoor dining.
“Council has undertaken these works after consulting with businesses in the area and all steps have been taken to ensure that disruption is minimised.”
