Mall is the right step

STRIP shopping centres such as Tooradin, Pakenham, Lang Lang, Kooweerup and Berwick have individual and special appeal.
But to remain in the business of providing shoppers with an alternative shopping experience they must have shoppers – and this means attracting their share of buyers.
The first step in doing that is for retail precinct leaders to create places where people want to be and the best way is probably to build on what is already a strong point.
I like the proposal to make Main Street, Pakenham, a mall (Gazette 21 January) because it is an attractive thoroughfare mauled by cars.
Main Street is one of Pakenham’s strong points.
My biggest hate in Main Street is to see a car stopped and waiting to do perform a U-turn into a parking spot when it is thought someone is about to pull out.
This is not only illegal, but grossly inconsiderate, dangerous, banks up the traffic and often doesn’t work because someone coming the other way grabs the spot as the car moves off.
Then you hear a few choice words, all for nothing.
The street is already a pleasant avenue so why not build on that? Provided the council can satisfactorily divert traffic and find reasonable alternative parking Cardinia Shire has the opportunity to play a winning shot for business in the town.