Business owners and customers have expressed concern about construction at Pepper Grove mall. A number of shops are being constructed in what was formerly an area of the parking lot.
Business owners and customers have expressed concern about construction at Pepper Grove mall. A number of shops are being constructed in what was formerly an area of the parking lot.
A source said the first phase of construction will consist of a Spec Saver's optometrist and Crazy store followed by a Mug n Bean during the second phase.
In an interview with Grocott’s Mail, Pick n Pay manager Jonathan Campbell was furious, saying the construction has taken its toll on their businesses as they have been receiving numerous complaints from their customers about parking.
“The workers had already dug holes and put poles on Saturday evening. We obviously saw that the following morning and there was not much I could do,” said Campbell.
According to Campbell, customers are pouring in asking what Pick n Pay are doing about the situation. However, Campbell is adamant that they were not informed about the construction.
Pepper Grove owner Rob Beer blasted Campbell‘s comments, stating that he had told Campbell on 20 June this year about his plans concerning the positioning of new shops.
“We entered into negotiations concerning the positioning of the new shops long ago but now out of the blue Shelton and Campbell withdrew from these negotiations for unknown reasons,” said Beer.
Beer acknowledges that construction in an existing mall is always difficult but says measures have been taken to make sure that the public is not inconvenienced. He further added that Peppergrove is fully compliant as far as Municipal parking requirements are concerned.
“Introduction of more parking forms part of our plan. “New shops will [also]be built which creates new jobs for the people and additional investment into Grahamstown,” he said.
Wimpy Manager Suzette Wescott is in favour of the new shops, saying her business will not be affected by the shops being built.
“I personally have no problem with new businesses and I don’t view them as competition,” said Wescott.
