Traders’ relief as fences taken down
Lifeline is thrown to businesses fearing for future
Fences bordering the construction zone on Perth’s St John Street have been removed after it emerged businesses faced closure due to the works.
The specialist temporary fencing was taken down by contractors on Tuesday afternoon following complaints it was deterring potential customers from walking down St John Street.
The temporary fencing was used as a safety precaution and a loading bay area during reparation works to secure the facade and structure of 38 St John Street.
Builders had set up a base outside The Venue ever since a neighbouring chimney breast fell and collapsed onto the building’s roof during Storm Ciara at the start of February, injuring three people.
While St John Street traders understood the reasons behind the fencing, owner of Olive Tree, Audrey Maestri, harboured fears that if the size of the fencing area was not reduced, she might have been forced to close for good.
However, Perth and Kinross Council’s orders to remove the fencing has thrown a lifeline to the street’s traders.
She said: “It is a relief it has been taken down. I only hope the removal doesn’t hamper the progress of the building construction.
“They have still got to shore it up but they will be able to leave space for people to walk down the street.
“Wooden shoring is now up around the building.
“Even as I am looking out at the street, the difference is huge. People are walking past.
“St John Street is open for business again.”
Audrey said her cafe enterprise saw a 50 per cent drop in business since construction started.
“I saw people going up, seeing the fence and not coming down the street,” she added.
“The end of September is when the work is meant to be completed and heavy plant work is being done so the fence was for people’s safety.
“But once heavy machinery has been used to take away rubble, surely they don’t need this all blocked off.”
Emma Swindell, assistant manager at Kids of the City, said her trade had also experienced a “50 per cent drop” and said if the fencing had remained they would have had to consider moving the store to a new location.
However upon seeing the fencing removed Linda Hodes, owner and runner of Kids in the City, said: “We are happy it is down at the moment.
“But we’re not sure what the