The Octagon was a sight for sore eyes for some of the area's smallest businesses, with Dunedin's city centre flush with cruise ship passengers earlier this week.
For the first time since late January shuttles are dropping off and pick up passengers inside the Octagon.
The central carriageway has been closed for the previous two phases of the Octagon Experience.
A constant stream of busses bringing visitors right into the heart of the city on Thursday put a smile on the face of the Octagon market stallholders who have had to move from their usual location in the lower Octagon.Precious stone seller Lorene Rosie says when the busses weren't bringing tourists into the Octagon it cuts her takings by well over half.
"They might if they're on an excursion into the city centre come as far as the I-site, but if they're not doing an excursion they don't bother even coming down that far.
Dunedin City Council strategy and governance general manager Sandy Graham said everyone who has an opinion on the trial was welcome to contact the council and give their thoughts on the experience.
As well as collecting feedback, the council was working with the Otago Chamber of Commerce to track the amount spent in the Octagon and surrounding area over the past two months, Ms Graham said.
Otago Chamber of Commerce chief executive Dougal McGowan said early indications from some retailers showed turnover was down during the trial but people would have to wait until all the data had been collected, then analysed to know the true impact.
The final phase of the $150,000 trial will conclude with a big party hosted by Fringe and the Dunedin Multi-Ethnic Council on Saturday, March 21, and the Octagon will return to ‘‘business as usual’’ on March 23.
