Entrepreneurs furious

Confusing signs: Trouble over city construction site

Gerhard Thurner complains about a noticeable loss of sales due to the signs and the roadworks in Maxglaner Hauptstraße(Bild: Valentin Snobe)

Although business is slowly recovering in Maxglaner Hauptstraße, countless entrepreneurs are furious about the daunting signage. "The signs are scaring customers away."

Work on two sections of Maxglaner Hauptstraße will continue until the end of November. One lane is currently completely impassable for around 500 meters, while a two-man traffic light system has been introduced for the second. Only occasionally does a trolleybus pass through. These activities are essential to maintain the Salzburg-AG network infrastructure (electricity, gas, etc.). There is no doubt about that. The building site even has advantages for the hip restaurant Fit Smartfood (formerly Café Engeljähringer). "You can hardly hear a car, it's extremely quiet and therefore great for our guest garden," says owner Christopher Conradi (39).

The road signs around Maxglaner Hauptstraße cause confusion and scare customers away(Bild: Schiel Andreas)

"Customers give us a wide berth"
But not only the restaurateur but also many of the local business owners wonder why the busy shopping street has been closed since April. However, construction work is hardly noticeable. This was also the case during the site inspection on Wednesday afternoon. What's more: "We were only informed about the project a week before construction started," explains Conradi.

At least Christopher Conradi's garden at Fit Smartfood is quieter now(Bild: Valentin Snobe)

Gerhard Thurner from the toy store of the same name takes a much harsher tone. "The city's communication in the run-up to the event was abysmal. What is far worse is that the signage at many points in the district gives the impression that Maxglaner Hauptstraße is completely closed. Drivers - unnecessarily - give us a wide berth. I've lost at least 20 percent of my turnover," says the 59-year-old from Salzburg, annoyed.

Willi Wulz, who runs the Rupertus pharmacy next door, was also hit hard by the roadworks at first: "There were a third fewer customers. That's slowly recovering. But the building site will soon be relocated. The uncertainty will then be great again."

Thurner, the baker, the optician and their colleagues have just one wish for the remaining months of the construction site: "Let's put up big signs to show that you can shop here. Our existence is at stake."