Businesses rejoice about new, clean, 'overdue' CBD footpaths

THIS $1.5 million project will "get a bit of class about Lismore again", say business owners.

Harris Cycle on Keen St is one of the businesses that will be affected when Lismore City Council starts reconstructing CBD footpaths. Picture: Cathryn McLauchlan

LONG overdue and a way to "get a bit of class about Lismore again" is the way business owners have described the first Lismore CBD footpath upgrade happening next month.

From the week commencing January 16, Keen St inner footpaths will be completely repaved as part of a bigger $1.5 million four-year project to see all of the inner CBD footpaths replaced or repaired.

The Keen St stage should take between six to eight weeks to complete, coinciding with the Lismore Quadrangle project.

Business owners along the street mostly agree that while it would impact their businesses, it would be worth it.

"It's a good thing, it took 20 years too long but it's a good thing," owner of Harris Cycle, Darryl Pursey, said.

Some of the current CBD paths are more than 60 years old.

Repaving should not interfere with business entrances for more than half a day during the works.

Owner of Mum 'n' Me Maternity Gloria McPherson was concerned she will need to close for a week while work is done near her business due to dust impacts.

Mum 'n' Me Maternity on Keen St is one of the businesses that will be affected when Lismore City Council starts reconstructing CBD footpaths. Picture: Cathryn McLauchlan

" There will be too much dust, people aren't going to be able to bring prams in, it's going to be a challenge," she said.

She agreed, however, the footpath in its current state was a "disgrace".

Darryl Clark, owner of McKenzies Outdoor 'n' Adventure Lismore called the project a necessary step for Lismore's CBD.

McKenzies Outdoors 'N' Disposals on Keen St is one of the businesses that will be affected when Lismore City Council starts reconstructing CBD footpaths. Picture: Cathryn McLauchlan

"It's going to be inconvenient for some shoppers and store keepers at times, but you can't make an omelet without cracking a few eggs," he said.

Some of the business owners on the other side of the road felt they were left out of the equation.

Kim Bradbury, the owner of the New Tattersalls Hotel and Marcos Fernandes, co-owner at Keen on Green, said they were both disappointed the outer side of the street would not be getting the upgrade as well.

"I think if they're going to do something on one side it should encompass both sides so that both sides of the street look the same," Ms Bradbury said.