WINNIPEG- The Canadian metropolis is starting to see revitalized workplaces as employees begin returning to the office place to work, following a 2+ year long national lockdown.
The city plans to institute a more flexible working model that will allow many employees to work remotely, disappointing many small business owners in the area.
“We’re not too happy about it,” said Seka Lussier. Lussier is the operations manager of the King’s Head Pub.
“It’s incredibly detrimental to us and it completely disregards all local downtown businesses because we still have to pay the property taxes but now we have to meet this without the foot traffic.”
Lussier told reporters that ‘foot traffic’ is an essential for her business model.
The president of the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce believes the city needs a balanced approach to the current reopening of the world place, not what owners have in mind.
“I understand as an employer, the city is no different than any other employer. (They’re) facing a fight for skilled individuals and there are options for individuals and one of the things people are looking for is that flexibility.”
“However, like every other employer, the city has a responsibility to the community at large, and right now we know our downtown needs more people coming back downtown. So I think what we’re looking for from the city is balance in how they’re going to approach that remote working,” he told reporters.
Owner of the Harrisons Coffee Company Al Dawson recognizes that while foot traffic is good, the city has expectations to meet in regards to employees.
“I think that, like businesses, the city has to adapt to the expectations of the people,” he said. “Although it might impact us in the short term I think it will allow for more businesses to enter the core and get more affordable space and maybe even space sharing.”
“Sure we need to see more people down here or else businesses like mine won’t survive,” he added. “But we do need to take care of our people and put our people first.”
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