I would like to complain about The Avenues Shopping Centre.
We have to pay for parking, we have to pay to use the toilet.
Now we have to pay car guards and trolley services and put up with people begging at our car windows.
Now while I have no objection to paying the car guards and trolley services for their assistance and protecting my vehicle, I strongly object to still having to pay for parking and the loo.
All other shopping centres around here and as far as East Rand Mall, do not charge for parking nor do they charge to use the loo. The loos are clean as well as having plenty of loo paper and they are much newer complexes.
As far as I am concerned, the management of the shopping centre should no longer be charging for parking as they do nothing to protect our vehicles and putting up a sign saying they will not be responsible for anything, is not acceptable.
They either charge for parking and protect our property or they stop charging and I will gladly pay the car guards.
I am well aware that the people are trying to earn an honest living and I applaud them for at least avoiding crime for a living.
I support them everywhere else and regarding people begging, I am blessed to not be in that position, but for those of us on single salaries and pensions, this gets too costly.
Come on Avenues, step up and look after your long-standing customers, your property is paid for, unlike some of the newer malls and they are not ripping they clients off.
Diane Lakie.
The Avenues Shopping Centre faces unique challenges because of its location in a city centre.
Sometimes this requires a different approach to that taken by suburban malls.
Ultimately, we strive to ensure our mall environment meets our shoppers’ expectations.
One of their challenges includes the abnormally high use of their toilets.
While it certainly isn’t our first choice, it has been found by other centres in similar locations that a nominal R1 toilet fee helps to keep toilet facilities clean and comfortable and, importantly, discourages the misuse and vandalism of these facilities.
Adding to the security at the centre, they recently introduced highly-visible trolley assistants.
They support the security guards and add to the security measures.
There is certainly no obligation for customers to give trolley assistants any money.
While it can have challenges, being in the city also has many advantages.
The Avenues is able to provide really convenient shopping, in a unique, vibrant setting that is close to where valued shoppers work and live.
Dawn Gradidge,
Marketing Concepts spokesman.
