BACK IN HISTORY | Talks to turn Cumming St into a mall

IF it were up to a large number of shoppers, Cumming St in Suva would be turned into a shopping mall.
On October 10, 1983, The Fiji Times published an article titled “Why not, say the people who use it”, where shopkeepers and shoppers welcomed the idea of banning traffic in the busy thoroughfare.
Cumming St, being internationally recognised, has become a hub for business activities six days a week where many duty free shoppers are pushed or elbowed by the local business hunters, not forgetting the
countless individuals who work at the hundred other business spaces located above the shops.
According to The Fiji Times: “Suva City Council is waiting for further information before deciding on a motion by Cr Ratilai Parshotam that the street be converted into a mall.”
It was noted from the article that a large number of shoppers and shopkeepers, when questioned by this paper, agreed that introducing a mall could help make this well-known street a better shopping hub.
Mr Moti Musadial owns Musadial and Sons — a duty free shop that has become a landmark of the
street.
He was quoted sharing this statement: “I have seen a lot of malls this size and I am sure that Cumming St is suitable.”
The Fiji Times poll found that eight out of every 10 people working and shopping in Cumming St favoured the mall.
Many businessmen shared the same point of view along with other suggestions such as decorating the street, which would create a lasting environment that would help attract shoppers and tourists and that stopping cars from honking their way from Cumming St to Waimanu Rd would help double the level of earnings and profit.
However, The Fiji Times also noted comments from those that were against the idea. One was a taxi driver named John Duikore, who said: “If cars are banned from this the street, we will lose a lot of business.”
The article stated: “A detailed report on pedestrian and motor traffic in relation to Cumming St will be
submitted to the October meeting of the SCC Town planning and subdivision of Land Committee.”
This idea had already been brought to the Suva City Council’s attention.