Footscray traders lose customers as street disorder and violence fears mount
Footscray traders report customers leaving the area. Street disorder and violence fears are driving them away. Some shops are cutting their hours.
Footscray's once-bustling retail centre is losing customers. Traders cite concerns about street disorder, drug use and safety.
Roop Singh has run an office supplies store for more than 20 years. Singh remembers when shoppers came from across Melbourne's inner west.
Singh says former customers feel unsafe bringing their families here. Charles Nguyen is a dentist who has worked there for more than 20 years.
His practice is losing business because clients find it too intimidating to visit. Both traders say their shops are cutting staff and hours.
Concerns got worse in June when MP Katie Hall was allegedly headbutted outside her office. In August the mayor was threatened by a man with a knife at a trader meeting.
- More than 20 years
- Years Singh has traded
- More than 20 years
- Years Nguyen has traded
- June
- Hall incident month
- Nicholson Street Mall
- Mayor threatened location
Why it mattersRetail job losses and business closures in a major shopping area show economic strain. Safety concerns are affecting the inner west community.
AustraliaFootscray traders and workers in Melbourne's inner west face reduced hours and job cuts as customer foot traffic drops due to street safety concerns.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 21 h ago
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