Last week, the Town of Claremont agreed to allocate $337,425 from the Joint Venture Reserve Fund to create a single lane from St Quentin Avenue to Stirling Highway in Times Square.
In return, Times Square owner John Bond will contribute $67,484, as well as $25,000 towards public art, provided the Town matches it, which it agreed to at the council meeting.
Cookie Dough owner Lisa Walsh, who moved in to Avion Way seven months ago, said creating more atmosphere in that pocket of Claremont would make people realise there was more down there.
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READ NOWMs Walsh said she would definitely take up an opportunity to provide more tables and chairs outside.
‘Foot traffic has definitely been less than we would have expected,’ she said.
Lost Souls retail sales assistant Elle Gleeson said anything that helped the businesses on Avion Way was a great idea.
‘The main strip and Claremont Quarter get a lot of traffic but some people don’t even know we are here,’ Ms Gleeson said.
Lost Souls owner Kate Collins said the Avion Way shops offered a more personal shopping experience.
‘It would be so good to have the support of the local customers. They don’t tend to venture out of the Quarter, yet when they do discover us they’re instantly converted,’ Ms Collins said.
Work on Avion Way will not start until approved works to Stirling Highway, Stirling Road and St Quentin Avenue are complete.
While the majority of Claremont councillors supported the project, several voted against it, saying ratepayers’ money would benefit only one landlord and limiting traffic to one-way would cause congestion.
‘Claremont traffic is already constipated,’ Cr Chris Mews said.
‘Traffic congestions cannot help business because if they can’t get in or out they will go somewhere else.’