BRAC has recently made a complaint to Bathurst Regional Council regarding the regular footpath congestion that occurs in George Street in front of Crema.

The hole-in-the-wall coffee shop is a popular destination and at its peak times can see customers block the footpath, making it very difficult for people in wheelchairs to get through. 

Chairman Bob Triming said the complaint was instigated after an incident was brought to BRAC’s attention, where an person in a wheelchair struggled to get through on a rainy day. 

Council has sent staff to investigate footpath congestion, but at the times staff attended there wasn’t enough of a crowd at the coffee shop to cause an issue. 

Mr Triming has since provided photographic evidence to council. 

He said there hasn’t always been an issue and if previous measures were undertaken again, it would probably solve the issue.

“When it first opened we experienced a lot of trouble and the access committee negotiated with council and the original owners agreed to put up signs,” he said. 

“They had signs there for ages upon ages, which said something like ‘Please keep the footpath clear for other pedestrians’ and that worked.” 

Mr Triming said simple signage and a bit of courtesy from customers would go a long way, not just for people with disabilities, but all pedestrians. 

“It’s just common sense and courtesy,” he said.

“We don’t just make waves for the sake of making waves. It has to be a valid complaint for us to do something about it, and this is.”