Businesses suffer in face of roadworks

A Torbay resident is so concerned about the impact of a shopping centre makeover he’s organised a community gathering.

The Torbay Revitalisation Project is being delivered by Auckland Transport (AT) and the Torbay Business Association. The project includes widening footpaths, building a new roundabout, and a new pedestrian crossing, seated areas and gardens.

But shop-owners in the southern end of the village say project roadworks have adversely affected their businesses.

Wayne Nicholas says his public gathering will offer residents, businesses and customers, landlords and stakeholders a chance to share concerns.

‘‘We just want to enable people to air their feelings and get answers,’’ Nicholas says.

The gathering is on March 4, 2pm by the Unichem Pharmacy.

Meanwhile shop owners impacted by roadworks are calling for community support.

Avneet Siag, owns the fruit and vegetable shop in the village with his wife Keerti. They have a four-month-old son and went back to working at the shop last time roadworks were on, when he was four weeks old. Siag says the pair also had to cut staff to save costs and the average number of customers throughout the day has dropped about 40 per cent.

‘‘We can’t change it now but we want to request all the locals to be helping us throughout the roadworks.’’

Other shop owners just want

‘‘Our business depends on local support.’’

Shop owner Bunna Hout

the job to be finished quickly. Bakery owner Bunna Hout says sales at his store have dropped roughly 10 to 15 per cent in the week since works resumed.

‘‘Our business depends on local support, visitors and people who have houses up the road.’’

The business owners hope once work has been completed, at the end of April, normal sales will resume, but time will only tell.

‘‘It could get better, but people get into a habit of going somewhere else,’’ Siag says.

Torbay Business Association chairman Tony Carter says business owners raised the matter of a possible loss of income at an association meeting.

He says one business owner said he had lost customers after access to his shop was closed due to issues with instability and he’s been asked to quantify the loss.

AT spokesman Mark Hannan says the remaining work will be done in smaller zones to minimise disruption.

ZIZI SPARKS/FAIRFAX NZ Avneet Siag, with wife Keerti and son Alex, says roadworks are harming his business, with concerned Torbay resident Wayne Nicholas.