Shoppers lash out at Fountain Gate’s centre management for taking weeks to fix broken escalators
People with disabilities and families with young children are furious after being forced to use a tiny lift and cramped staircase at Fountain Gate shopping centre. Here’s what’s causing the issue.
South East
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Frustrated shoppers have lashed out at Fountain Gate centre management for taking weeks to fix broken escalators near the cinemas.
They say the lift is tiny and the staircase cramped making things difficult for people with a disability and families with young children.
Shoppers have posted dozens of snappy messages on the centre’s Facebook page saying they are “fed up” with the delay, which has put the busy escalators out of action since before Christmas.
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“They are waiting for a part which is being made in Germany, apparently it’s still weeks away,” Lisa wrote on the centre’s Facebook page.
“I just can’t believe there’s not a single person in Australia who can make (the part). It’s sooooo frustrating.”
Another shopper, Wendy, said it was more than just an inconvenience for people with a disability.
“My son who is special needs loves to go there … and when I took him the Sunday after Christmas we were able to use the lift to get up, but alas when we went to come down the lift had stopped working,” she said.
The centre has been plagued with ongoing issues for months, with another set of escalators near the Woolworths entrance also experiencing ongoing problems.
The Leader visited the centre on Thursday and spoke to several disgruntled customers.
Shopper Donna Morgan said the problem was forcing customers elsewhere, likening that end of the centre to a “ghost town” when the Woollies escalator shut down.
“It’s simply not good enough that a billion dollar company like Westfield is taking so long to fix these escalators,” Ms Morgan said.
She said the lifts near the cinemas, which had been offered as an alternative, were tiny.
“Only about four people can fit in them and this causes long queues to get to the carpark.
“The stairs nearby are also not good enough — it’s four flights and very cramped,” she said.
A Scentre Group spokeswoman, who refused to be named, said two of the centre’s escalators were currently out of service.
“We are working with our contractor to have them up and running as soon as possible.”
She said the centre’s concierge team was helping customers navigate the centre.
“Our concierge team is actively assisting customers to show them to alternative lifts, travelators or escalators, help with bags and trolleys, as well as offering free water and coffee cards.”