Lengthy upgrades hurt Bunbury cafe strip

Businesses on the Victoria Street cafe strip are still recovering financially after lengthy road and footpath closures which began in June and made the area almost impossible for patrons to access.

The Victoria Street works were intended to create a better environment for customers and proprietors, with new footpaths, drains, resurfaced roads and an extension of the street’s alfresco dining area.

But Benesse Espresso Bar owner Anthony Palumbo said his business dropped 30 to 40 per cent during that time.

“Patrons were not able to get down here easily so they didn’t bother until it was completed.

“The three-month time frame was ridiculous – anywhere else would have been working all days and nights to finish it quickly.

“It’s just crazy, it’s just putting more Bunbury businesses at risk of closing down and losing money when we need to keep the town alive.”

According to the council, road closures began on June 10, with different sections of road being closed over the following two weeks.

The roads were set to reopen on June 24, but Rex Cafe owner Silvana Hepton said the closures were longer than expected.

“They said it would take a couple of weeks and it well and truly ran over,” she said.

The major works took place in the section of Victoria Street between Symmons and Wellington streets.

Director of works and services, Phil Harris said the closures were necessary for the work to take place and to ensure the safety of the staff working on the project.

“Closures were dependent on the works taking place, and lasted anywhere from a day to a week,” he said.

“The City ensured full road closures were kept to a minimum and scheduled only when necessary to complete works, otherwise half road closures were put in place.”

Cafe Bean owner John Ventris said he was impressed with the improved pavement around his shop, but the said the time frame was unacceptable.

“The road was closed both ways for two weeks and one way for a number of weeks, the length of time they were closed was a real problem and it had significant effect on our business,” he said.

Sears Cafe owner Grant Trivett agreed and said it was now up to the shop owners in the area to lure customers back.

“The street was not accessible and that drove customers away,” he said.

“I have now reduced my coffee to $3 in a ploy to draw people back to the cappuccino strip.”

Afez owner Jerry Bogdanoff hoped things would get back on track now the works had finished.

“Business dropped to the lowest it’s been in all 12 years of being open,” he said.

“It was detrimental drop but things are looking up.”

Mrs Hepton said for the amount of time it had taken, the improvements had better bring more business to the strip.

“It’s affected us badly – let’s just hope we can regain our customers,” she said.

The council has encouraged business which felt they suffered as a result of the closures to get in contact with them.