Businesses count cost amid road closures

Owners face relocating and missed trade after devastating blaze damage

- KATHRYN ANDERSON

Around 18 Perth businesses have been displaced as a result of the fatal fire on Scott Street last month.

While some nearby businesses have been allowed to reopen, they are worried about the impact of losing passing trade - due to partial road closures on Scott St and South St for several months.

We spoke to two well-known Perth businesses which have been affected.

Karla Mason is the managing director of Craigdon Mountain Sports Perth at 32 Scott St.

Diagonally opposite the fire-ravaged 41 Scott Street, it is the last shop on that side of the street before the cordon. The residents in the flats above were only just allowed back into their homes at the end of last week.

Craigdon Mountain Sports was closed for a few days following the fire and, while Karla is so grateful to be open, it has been difficult witnessing the aftermath firsthand. Karla's heart goes out to all those affected by the fire.

She said: "It's been quite hard watching people come and get their stuff. They've got little crates with some of their belongings - and that's two weeks later. And that's two weeks where they'll have to have been given stuff. It's so hard, it's quite full-on."