Behaviour bad for business

The manager of a Hargreaves Mall business says rowdy troublemakers are putting pressure on traders by discouraging customers from visiting the central business district.

The manager, who did not wish to be named, said elderly customers were particularly put off by obnoxious behaviour.

“It’s shocking language, and they fight between each other and the next minute they’re happy with each other, I don't understand it,” she said.

“We rely on customers, that’s why our doors are open. There’s quite a few down there that are struggling with it all.”

The manager said the youths did not present a positive image of Bendigo but acknowledged that most cities were burdened with their share of undesirables.

“It’s like everywhere, every mall has the same problem in every town,” she said.

“I actually heard the other day Geelong’s pretty bad with it as well.”

Bendigo Traders Association president Steve Blundell agreed the problem was not unique to Bendigo.

“I think it’s a problem that every city faces to be honest, I don’t know of anywhere that doesn't have this problem,” he said.

“I’d like to see them do something productive with their lives.”