The city council has finished its six-month project to improve the functionality, safety, connectivity and amenity of the area.
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While the project was under way, businesses said they were affected by the disruption from the work and traffic measures on the footpaths and roads outside their shops.
Chrissie’s Label Clothing owner Chrissie Beardsley said sales have almost quadrupled now the project has been completed.
She struggled to keep her secondhand designer clothing shop on Nayland St afloat during the road works, which she described as “soul-destroying” at the time.
“It’s been really busy. Freeing up the parking and having the flow of traffic again is fabulous,” she said.
“Ever since it’s happened, I’ve been feeling a huge relief. It’s just amazing. I feel like I’ve been running off adrenaline.”
She was unsure how she would feel once the project was over, but now she says the area is “looking really great.”
CLOUD cafe and Korean Tapa Bar owner Marty Moon told Bay Harbour News he was affected when the road works were taking place outside his business on Marriner St.
But he said things have been going great since the work was completed.
“In all honesty, I freaking love it – it looks really great.”
Joe’s Garage owner Callum Brownlee says Sumner will experience the “biggest summer” it has had yet thanks to the upgrades.
He said the business was as busy on Sunday as it would be in summer.
“People were sitting on the new furniture in the village and people were actually just walking around – it was epic.”
