Bonwick St upgrade hurts trade as businesses face uncertain future

A shopping strip upgrade in Melbourne’s north has seen traders losing as much as $10,000 a month in business. And with the council works to go on for months, some owners fear they may have to shut their doors.

Construction in Fawkner is putting pressure on businesses. Picture: Hamish Blair

Disgruntled traders are losing up to $500 a day, and fear their businesses could go under, as construction continues on a shopping strip in Fawkner.

The Moreland Council beautification of Bonwick St began on June 12 and one business owner told the Moreland Leaderlast week he was already $10,000 out of pocket compared to usual earnings.

The owner, who did not want to be named, said his takings were down 40 per cent as workers replaced concrete on the street in front of shops.

Pavement on the western side of the street has been ripped up. Picture: Hamish Blair

He also said workers had taken up a handful of parking spaces for a site office and vehicles, making it almost impossible for his delivery van to park nearby, as businesses were not provided with permits for timed parks.

“Everybody is going to feel the pinch, we have to park far away and bring the van around whenever we need to do a delivery,” he said.

“We parked on the street in the one-hour parking and got busy so our van was fined.”

Tradie parking and a site office has caught ire of businesses. Picture: Hamish Blair

The council’s city futures acting director Phillip Priest said the location of the office was decided on to occupy the smallest possible amount of spaces and traders weren’t allowed extended parking because it would further limit customer spots.

“The restrictions have not been changed due to the streetscape improvement works and opportunities remain for unrestricted parking in many of the surrounding streets within short walking distance,” he said.

Rose Mehmet owns the Bonwick Cafe on the strip and said her takings were down 20 per cent.

Works are set to continue until November. Picture: Hamish Blair

She said she feared her cafe and other businesses would be forced to shut by the time construction was completed in November.

“Long term, the street is going to be nice but we’re scared people might not come back to us when it’s ready,’ she said.

“We respect the changes and it’s my hope that it makes things better.”

Workers have sectioned off the western side of the street. Picture: Hamish Blair

The upgrade on the street and nearby carparks drew anger from businesses when it originally planned to remove up to 17 spaces but after consultation only two will go.

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Mr Priest said it was on track to be completed on time.

Carlo Iuele has owned the Pasticceria Padova bakery on Bonwick St for four decades and said all traders would likely suffer through short-term pain for long-term gain, if his business made it through.

“I do know it’s hurting us every day,” he said.

“If we survive the short term it will be good. Overall it’s a good idea.”