Businesses running as normal after temporary setback
Two CBD businesses are operating as normal after their main entrance was closed due to a faulty escalator believed to be out of action for six years.
Customers visiting Yoga Corner and Deniz Alterations have been redirected to use 422 Collins St as a temporary entry while the safety issues relating to the escalator at 477 Little Collins St are resolved.
Resident Stephen Scott said he noticed the escalator not working earlier this year and was worried that a vulnerable or elderly resident may injure themselves.
He began investigating and sought the help of the City of Melbourne, after discovering the escalator hadn’t been in operation for up to six years.
Yoga Corner’s owner Amy Leonard-King said it was business as usual and reaffirmed her commitment to serving their members and guests whom she thanked for understanding and patience regarding the new adjustment.
The council said it was working with the landlord to resolve safety issues with the escalator.
“A temporary entry via Collins St is available during business hours. Tenants are provided with a fob key to let clients into the building after hours,” it said.
“Council is working with a range of stakeholders to ensure peoples safety and enable temporary access to and from the building via exit doors and corridors leading from the basement retail tenancies to Collins St while the building is occupied”. •
Caption: Stephen Scott at trader Deniz Alterations after raising concerns about the safety of an escalator.