Businesses divided over Glebe Point upgrade

By Dheepthi Namasivayam
Some Glebe Point Road business owners say the new, chalkboard signs erected along the road are not the answer to their upgrade woes.
The chalkboards are to remind passers-by that businesses will remain open during the upgrade.
The singage was conceived by the Glebe Chamber of Commerce and is funded by the City of Sydney.
Paul Angell, the Chamber’s president, said the chalkboards, which will be updated regularly by a council-appointed scribe, reflect the council’s commitment to Glebe businesses during the upgrade.
‘This is a very different upgrade because the council has tried to connect with local businesses,’ he said.
But Cherie Hughes, who works at Iku wholefood restaurant said there is a much bigger problem than obscured shopfronts: noise from the jackhammers drilling during heavy construction near Parramatta Road.
‘If I didn’t work here, it wouldn’t be high priority to be going down Glebe Point Road at this stage,’ she said.
She added that the restaurant has been closing early since the construction begun because pedestrians simply do not pass by.
Executive director of Palms Australia Roger O’Halloran, who owns the Fair Trade Coffee Company on Glebe Point Road said the signage would not make a whole lot of difference, although it is ‘better than nothing.’
Like Miss Hughes, Mr O’Halloran said noise had deterred potential customers from dining at the café.
‘If people see they’re going to have a noisy meal, they’ll keep going and find somewhere else,’ he said.
But David Gaunt, co-owner of Gleebooks, was more optimistic about the chalkboard project.
‘Anything they do has to be helpful,’ he said. ‘We’ve got to be patient and hope that the upgrade gets done as soon as possible.’
‘I’m sure Glebe Point Road will look lovely at the end of the day,’ Mr Gaunt added.