Stores located near Hamilton's bus terminal construction site claim the building work is affecting their businesses.

The multi million station is not scheduled to be completed until January 2006 but meanwhile traffic restrictions and inconvenience to the public is taking its toll on some businesses on Washington Street.

Cafe Acoreano owner Adriana Amaral said business has plummeted 50 percent as customers breeze by the restaurant on their way to the temporary bus terminal.

She views the continued delay as unreasonable.

"This is ridiculous, people don't stop as frequently as they used to, nobody can park here and making deliveries can be difficult," she said.

The cafe's manager, Sandra Teixeira, said the Corporation of Hamilton had not consulted business bosses on the progress of the bus terminal and only one meeting has been held by the Corporation last year to share their concerns.

Chef Aggie Barreto of Grand Central Deli also said the construction had had a negative affect as less customers visit the store.

"We have our regular walk-ins but we are not attracting new customers," he said.

"We were very excited at the beginning when the new bus terminal was announced but we are hopeful next year will be better."

When visited the bus terminal yesterday afternoon no work was being carried out on the terminal.

But Advantage Computer Solutions Limited Carol Richards said: "Without a doubt my business has been hit. The Corporation of Hamilton has not returned my calls and they have promised to meet us ? but no meeting has been held.

"We are not allowed to put signs up to let customers know we are open and when the deli did so the Corporation removed them."

She said she was concerned that, when the terminal is completed, there will be restrictions placed on parking and had problems having a computer delivered because of limited parking space.

Secretary to the Corporation of Hamilton Kelly Miller said it had always been the Corporation's intention to restore some parking space but until the terminal is complete parking arrangements will not be confirmed.

"I would be happy to arrange a meeting with the business owners on Washington Street to address their concerns," she said.

"The Public Transportation Board has expressed a number of safety concerns because buses will be backing out of the bays and straightening up to go forward. These safety concerns cannot be addressed until the terminal is in operational."

Audio Visual Electronics Sales Associate Cisco Aguiar said the ongoing completion of the bus terminal has not affected the business to any great deal as customers continue to purchase cellphone accessories.

Athletic Club Service Supervisor Corey Masters said membership numbers had not declined and shrugged off parking concerns admitting Hamilton has always had parking problems.