I’ve started hearing that businesses in the downtown core are feeling like too much political and municipal effort is being directed at the street while off-street businesses that are open are suffering as patrons seek the novelty of Government. I’m talking food and drink merchants.
In normal times, with normal tourism levels, and the typical range of choice to be had downtown, such a draw wouldn’t pose an issue, but in today’s limited patron landscape where everyone is fighting over 20-30% of regular patronage levels it’s easy to see how businesses not along Victoria’s chosen Golden Mile are losing out.
So while people go to Government and officials call the people they see there a success, where are they not going to that they would have ordinarily gone?
New patios exist outside of Government Street, though, right? I know Pags and Yates Street Taphouse have new patios. I've heard of several others. The fact is a lot of people are more comfortable being outside than inside right now. There's only so much that can be done about that.