Washington Street businesses are hoping to regain revenue after the new central bus terminal opened yesterday ? but remain concerned about parking and loading restrictions.

Cafe Acoreano, Advantage Computer Solutions and the Grand Central Deli experienced a dip in business as work on the terminal dragged on last year.

Yesterday a VIP ceremony was held to mark the opening of the $2.8 million Hamilton?s Washington Street showpiece.

Concerns remain, however, about the business impact of making Washington Street a no-through way street with limited access to loading zones.

Any vehicles parked in the bus bays at the terminal will be ticketed by traffic wardens.

Three loading zones are available on the eastern side for loading, unloading and deliveries. But it is not clear what provision has been made for customers parking on the street who may be subject to overzealous traffic wardens, although it is believed plans are in hand to designate some parking areas.

It is also unclear how much space buses will need to turn around which could render the use of loading zones a moot point.

Businesses along the narrow street include Cafe Acoreano, Le Chic, BTC, Advantage Computer Solutions, and Audio Visual Electronics, the Athletic Club, among others.

There are signs posted on Victoria Street at the junction with Washington Street stating that Washington Street is not a through way. Secretary to the Corporation of Hamilton Kelly Miller is advising customers to park on Victoria Street.

Audio Visual Electronics owner Kevin Davies said his vehicle received a parking ticket on the street and believed zones for commercial vehicles will be restricted. ?This is a serious inconvenience and some entities park their vehicles on the street all day long as a monopoly. I have not heard anything from the Corporation of Hamilton about what provision there will be for businesses but numerous calls have not been returned,? Mr. Davies said.

Advantage Computer Solutions owner Carol Richards said: ?This has been frustrating and my other concern there is no area for anyone for make deliveries.?

?You could lose business if there no way for people to collect a heavy computer and I had a customer who came here just for a pick-up and got a ticket and they were told they were not supposed to come on this street at all, so it is definitely working against the business.?

Ms Miller said the Corporation cannot be held to account for overzealous traffic wardens or if the loading zones are monopolised by certain entities.

?The employees who would be using these loading zones or parking bays are entering and leaving the Hamilton Exchange building several times throughout the day,? BTC spokesperson Ona Fletcher said.

?The onus is on the employee to adhere to the guidelines set out by the Corporation of Hamilton.?