A MINNINUP Forum shop owner has blamed ongoing renovations outside the centre for a dire financial situation that could lead to her closure.
Leonie Patterson, who runs the forum’s Hot Bread Shop, said the redevelopment had sent her “completely broke” because customer traffic had dwindled since work began.
Ms Patterson told the Bunbury Mail she would be forced to sell her house to pay the shop’s debts and feared she would still need to sell the business.
In a letter issued by a City of Bunbury environmental health officer and shown to the Mail, Ms Patterson was asked to stop making food during renovations because dust from the works would “definitely comprise the safety of your produce.”
Bunbury developer Citygate Properties manages the Minninup Road shopping centre.
Citygate began work to redevelop the centre last year in a bid to bring it “into the present day.”
But Ms Patterson believes the redevelopment gutted her business because it turned customers away.
“I have two access points to the shop but [they] can’t get in either one of them,” Ms Patterson said.
“Customers think I’m closed so they don’t come – because it’s all fenced in they just don’t bother.”
Citygate executive Geoff Prosser responded by saying it was Ms Patterson’s responsibility to attract customers while work was in progress.
“I’m not saying that any works have caused a drop off of customer base, they are matters that are in her control,” Mr Prosser said.
Mr Prosser said other tenants in the centre and the wider community had expressed excitement to see the work happening.
“When any building work goes on there is always disruption and on the whole we’ve had very good feedback and good relationships with the other tenants out there,” he said.
“I suppose Ms Patterson needs to work out her issues because it’s part of the trials and tribulations of owning a small business.”
Ms Patterson said she would seek legal advice.
Concrete and paving at the entrance to the Hot Bread Shop is expected to be complete in three weeks.
