The city of St. John’s is holding a meeting tomorrow afternoon that will put the future of the pedestrian mall on Duckworth Street into question.

Businesses on the street have been speaking out against some of the negative impacts resulting from having the street closed off.

According to city council’s representative on the Downtown St. John’s Board, Debbie Hanlon, the city has been receiving lots of calls from businesses both on and off Duckworth requesting that the street be reopened.

She explains that businesses on the street aren’t getting their usual customers, and businesses off the street have been raising concerns about things such as parking.

As for why the Duckworth mall just isn’t clicking, Hanlon believes there are a number of reasons.

Hanlon says It’s just not the same experience as Water Street. She says the city has been trying to put a focus on Duckworth Street by promoting it and providing entertainment, but they aren’t getting the same number of bodies up there.

Hanlon describes Wednesday’s meeting as more of an information session but does note that they are in a position to pivot quickly depending on what they hear.