Dramatic drop for Hercules Street businesses

Ashfield businesses on Hercules Street have claimed a 90 per cent loss in ‘walk-in’ trade, following Council’s decision to turn their street into a taxi rank.

Their claims come seven months after the street, previously a major bus stop, underwent the conversion into a taxi rank, following pedestrian safety concerns raised by Sydney Buses.

Kerrie Walker, owner of Walker Newsagency for 21 years, said the change had been very bad for business. “There are no buses bringing in passing customers,” he said. “They [Ashfield Council] did not ask for a vote or permission; we were asked for an opinion, but they’re going to do it anyway.”

A spokesperson for the State Transit Authority said bus drivers had alerted the authority to safety concerns regarding pedestrians crossing against the lights on Hercules Street. According to the STA’s spokesperson, “a solution was found, swapping the bus stops in Liverpool Street and Hercules Street with the taxi rank in Brown Street.”

Sergeant Micallef, Police Traffic Supervisor for Ashfield, said there had been no reported bus crashes related to pedestrians since 2004 when he was first stationed in the area.

Ashfield Mayor Ted Cassidy said he had no knowledge of any problems business on Hercules Street were having because of the changes.

But small business owners said Cr Cassidy had attended a meeting set up by Ashfield Council General Manager, Ken Grainger, to discuss the changes.

Cr Cassidy declined to comment further.

Businesses on the street include Day and Night Chemist Ashfield, Star Ice Patisserie, C.B.D. Tax, Genford Conveyancing, 7-Eleven, Brough Real Estate, Ashfield Convenience Store, and Dr Charles Mok’s medical centre.

Shop owners interviewed by the Independent said they were enraged by the changes and lack of consultation. They are now considering petitioning Ashfield Council to reverse its decision.

by Marie-Eunice Alarcon