Traders at the newly revamped Blue Lagoon precinct in Durban are complaining of being neglected by the city.
In 2012 the traders were moved to the nearby Coconut Grove as the area underwent an R80 million upgrade, which included a pedestrian-friendly pier, and new parking and landscaping. Recently trading kiosks were erected.
However, traders said they were short-changed in the deal when they were moved back to Blue Lagoon in November.
One of them, who has been running a takeaway for the past 18 years, said they were promised brick buildings but given empty shipping containers.
“The containers are too small to work from with the volume of customers we receive. We are also, by law, only allowed two people in the container, which is impossible,” said the man, who declined to be named.
He also complained that the weather affected business.
“When it rains, it rains into the containers which become a health hazard. The containers also get too hot and there is a chance of the food spoiling because there is no proper ventilation.”
Said another trader, Gora Dadamia: “We are put in the back of the trading area and are much quieter than we were when we were at Coconut Grove.”
He said that, despite the multimillion rand upgrades, he did not believe Blue Lagoon would ever return to its former glory.
“When we first moved to Coconut Grove, business was very quiet, but slowly increased over time; however, it never matched the business of Blue Lagoon. We are back but it is not the same.”
Dadamia said that customers were not used to the container set-up, therefore business was bad.
“Customers want to see before they decide on what they want to eat, but we are told to prepare our food in the back area, which is a complete change in how we do business.”
He also complained of standing water from a blocked drain.
Another stall holder, Nishana Harichund, said the facilities were not ideal and they were not given running water and electricity as promised by the city.
Spokeswoman Tozi Mthethwa said a business model for the area was still being formalised. “In the interim, a short term solution was developed and services were still being installed.”