Don Adan Coffee Mosman owner says B-Line Spit Junction construction robbed him of 80 per cent of his business

SPIT Junction Mosman businesses are feeling the pinch from B-Line construction works, with a cafe owner saying he has lost 80 per cent of his business.

Carlo and Elise hairdresser Inez, building owner Francesca Portale, Don Adan Coffee owner Gerard Barrios and EzyMart owner Mike Khassawneh are fed up with the B-Line Spit Junction construction works hampering their businesses. Picture: Adam Yip

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A SPIT Junction cafe owner fears that his shop will be forced to shut down because he says that B-Line construction work has driven away an estimated 80 per cent of his business.

Gerard Barrios, the owner of Don Adan Coffee, believes other businesses are also feeling the pinch.

His cafe is opposite the Spit Rd/Clifford St site where the old cinema was demolished. A pedestrian plaza and indented B-Line bus stop is being constructed.

“Everyone is quite desperate, but is fighting the battle,” Mr Barrios said.

“They closed Clifford St early this year and put the fence right up to the kerb.

“So if you sit in my cafe, all you can see is the banner for NSW projects and an endless amount of trucks and human waste containers, because they have to have porta loos on-site and they come and truck them away every day and you can imagine what the smell is like: the stench of human waste.

“We have lost 80 per cent of our business; it’s quite horrible.

“I don’t need to profit from this, but I don’t want to lose my business.”

A B-Line advertising hoarding at Spit Junction, pictured in March. The error was fixed.

The rapid bus service, for northern beaches residents travelling to the central business district, is expected to start this year.

Mr Barrios, a Cremorne resident, owns three cafes: two in Mosman and one in Cremorne.

But he said his other cafes would be unable to sustain the Spit Junction cafe.

“A loss is a loss, no matter where it comes from,” he said.

“Cafes are not very profitable businesses.”

Mr Barrios told Transport for NSW about his problems, but he still feels there has been a lack of consultation and total disregard for businesses.

“They said, ‘It’s good for the future, you will benefit in the long-term, this is for the good of the community’,” he said.

“But my community is very affected, so I don’t know what community they are talking about.

“We have been here at the same location for the past 18 years and it seems such a waste of everything right now; it’s heartbreaking.”

The old cinema at Spit Junction before it was demolished.

Mr Barrios said he had to continue paying his commercial lease.

“So I suggest that Transport for NSW could help pay our rent or have an account with us where their workers eat and we can at least have a business running,” he said.

“I maxed my credit card; I have done probably every avenue of finance that I can apply for, just to keep afloat.

“But being realistic, it’s just not sustainable; not even for a couple of months could I stay open if things continue like this.

“It’s already been a struggle since February.”

A Transport for NSW spokesman said that authorities had done everything practicable to minimise disruption.

“Any large construction project involves some disruption which is an unfortunate but necessary part of delivering improved access to public transport on this scale,” the spokesman said.

“We have done everything we can to keep disruption to a minimum for businesses and residents around Spit Junction.

“When works are completed and the B-Line is up and running, there will be new opportunities for local businesses.

“These include faster and more frequent bus services and a pedestrian plaza to encourage more foot traffic in the area, bringing more potential customers to local streets.”

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The porta loos were relocated last week after the Mosman Daily inquired with Transport for NSW.

Construction is expected to be finished by the end of the year. Work hours are generally from 7am to 6pm on weekdays and 8am to 1pm on Saturdays.

As the result of demolition works being completed, Civic Ln, near the cafe, has reopened.