Lifelong Hawkesbury resident Rod Alderton believes Windsor needs more businesses, more vehicle traffic and more pedestrians to reduce anti-social behaviour, and there was a simple way to do it.

“I believe Windsor Mall should be re-opened to allow traffic through, with parking on the streets,” he said.

“Windsor’s centre was once a thriving country town with department stores, banks, general shops, pubs and other businesses.

“Today it is like a ghost town – the place is dead, and the mall is to blame.”

Mr Alderton said the increased traffic, both human and vehicle, would revitalise Windsor and discourage anti-social behaviour.

“Retail will grow, shops filled, people and the nightlife will return, he said.

“With that, patrols would be easier for police and more people in the area would detract from bad behaviour.”

But many disagree with Mr Alderton’s idea, saying opening up the mall would drive businesses away from Windsor and anti-social behaviour would continue.

Peter Fricker, owner of Fricker’s Shoes, said the businesses that were currently operating in the mall were well suited to the pedestrian-only atmosphere.

“Most of these retailers chose to set up here because of the mall,” he said.

“If you took that away, I reckon many would leave and there would be even less shops in Windsor.”

Mr Fricker said he believed most Windsor business and shop owners had the same stance on opening up the mall as they did when the issues was raised two years ago.

“Ninety-nine per cent of them were against it then and I seriously doubt that has changed much now,” he said.

“I don’t think traffic through the mall would reduce anti-social behaviour, it’d probably make it even worse.”

The controversial topic will be debated at Windsor Business Group’s next breakfast meeting on March 22. Invit-

ations have been sent to councillors, business owners and Windsor Police.