CP shops lose their cool to Games

For the next month, you will surely feel the heat if Connaught Place is your shopping or coffee destination. Many coffee houses and showrooms will function without air conditioners because of restoration work being carried out in the area ahead of the Commonwealth Games.

For the next month, you will surely feel the heat if Connaught Place is your shopping or coffee destination.

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Many coffee houses and showrooms will function without air conditioners because of restoration work being carried out in the area ahead of the Commonwealth Games.

More than 150 shops in CP had their air conditioners installed outside their outlets. They have been removed by the New Delhi Municipal Council to carry out work on the walls. The civic agency said work would continue at least till April 15.

“Shopper have stopped coming, as it gets hot and humid. More than 40 per cent of our sales have been affected,” said Sanjay Coutinho, chief operating officer and director, Barista Lavazza.

NDMC officials said removing these ACs could not be helped. “This is part of the restoration work and we can’t do much about it. Since this is a functional requirement we will try to provide them alternative space,” said Anand Tiwari, NDMC spokesman.

“First it was the subway construction work now it’s the air conditioners. Restoration should not be at the cost of business,” said Atul Bhargava, president of New Delhi Traders’ Association.