TORONTO eateries on The Boulevarde are taking a financial hit from the street works on their doorsteps, with diners staying away in droves.
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“Lunch trade is almost non-existent. And our breakfast trade is almost non-existent,” Rob Grahame, the owner of Nabo’s Kitchen and Bar, said.
“Our dinner trade is not too bad, and that’s because people can’t see outside [at night],” he said.
“But we’ve had to put off staff.”
Lake Macquarie City Council is three weeks into the 12 weeks of work scheduled for Stage 5 of its upgrade of The Boulevarde.
The works are part of the council’s $4.1-million Toronto Streetscape Master Plan.
Stage 5 will see the creation of new decks, footpaths and kerbing to enhance the al fresco dining opportunities at the lake end of the main street.
But that al fresco space is currently a fenced construction zone.
Mayor Kay Fraser visited The Boulevarde on Wednesday to speak with the affected business owners.
“I’m here today to support the local businesses who I know are doing it tough,” Cr Fraser told the Lakes Mail.
“It’s going to be fabulous when the work is done. But I know business had dropped off. They’re going through financial disadvantage at the moment, and I’m feeling for them.”
The mayor urged locals to continue to visit The Boulevarde during the works period, to help the businesses through the difficult period.
And she is leading by example.
Cr Fraser revealed that she had been having lunch weekly in Toronto for several weeks, and would continue to do so.
“I’m out here today to say that I’m supporting them, and I’ll be out here every week to have lunch,” she said.
“I want to encourage people to come here and shop in Toronto. They’re open! The food’s great. The shops are great. Please come here and have lunch, have a coffee, spend some money in Toronto and make sure the shops stay here.”
Mr Grahame said that even when the works were completed, his business would continue to feel the pinch.
“Sales are down now. When this is all finished and the sales get back to what they were, it’s going to cost us even more money to retrain new staff,” he said.
Mr Grahame said he hoped the upgrade of The Boulevarde would ultimately boost the bottom lines of businesses affected by the current works.
“I’d like to say yes. But we don’t know if just having a prettier footpath is going to bring more people in,” he said.
Cr Fraser was more optimistic.
She said the new paving, shaded areas, trees, street furniture and landscaping would transform Toronto into a more popular and appealing place than it had ever been.
“It’s going to be really beautiful. Look out, Toronto is going to be No 1 in Lake Macquarie after this,” she said.