Killing the CBD
during our busiest time in winter, because there’s no shelter,’’ Blitz said.
‘‘There used to be verandas, but they were taken away when the Canopies went up. The council has dropped the ball on this.’’
Sam Korad, who owns a hair salon, said rain and wind was bound to keep customers away.
She said people had come to expect cover in the city centre and were more likely to stay away on wet days.
Murrell said the intention was to complete the costings, design and installation of new coverings as quickly as possible.
A lag time between dismantling and putting up something new was ‘‘unfortunate’’, he said.
‘‘These things take time. That’s the truth of it.
‘‘This was never going to be a ‘ pull- down and re- erect’ thing because of the safety aspects that have arisen.
‘‘We’re going through a process now and it will all be included in [April’s] long-term plan.’’