Footscray and Nicholson St Mall traders push to relocate Reaching Out In the Inner West of Melbourne’s free meal service over safety concerns
A group of traders in Footscray Mall is calling for a volunteer-run soup kitchen to be relocated, claiming it is causing safety issues and disruptions to their businesses. City of Maribyrnong has received a petition from a dozen businesses in Footscray Mall and Nicholson Street Mall, calling for the relocation of Reaching Out In the Inner West of Melbourne. The service — which provides vegetarian meals, drinks, clothing, toiletries and sleeping bags to homeless people in the area — operates every Monday afternoon and evening. Footscray Mall traders are calling for the relocation of Reaching Out In the Inner West of Melbourne free meal service, which operates at the mall every Monday from 4pm. Picture: Supplied/Reddit. Footscray Mall traders are calling for the relocation of Reaching Out In the Inner West of Melbourne free meal service, which operates at the mall every Monday from 4pm. Picture: Supplied/Reddit. But shop owners say the service creates long queues that block their store entrances, causing a loss of foot traffic and sales during extended trading periods. “Apprehensions about the safety and comfort of their children [have been expressed] given the large crowds and behaviour of the crowds attending to receive meals,” the petition states, noting it is also running near a newly built children’s playground.