Article content

The Formula E race that clogged downtown streets for weeks this summer had a negative impact on several businesses in the Gay Village and Centre-Sud areas, a survey of merchants shows.

Streets were closed, customers couldn’t find parking and many people who attended the race didn’t eat in local restaurants because there were food trucks on site, an area bounded by Berri St., de Maisonneuve Blvd., Papineau Ave. and Notre-Dame St.

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or Formula E: Residents, merchants mobilize to block race's return to residential streets Back to video

One merchant said the Formula E eventwas the worst weekend for his business in 20 years. Another said that he usually serves 30 breakfasts each day on the weekend, but he only had four customers over the two days.

“It wasn’t a local event that benefited businesses or residents, it was imposed on us and it caused chaos,” said Heidi Miller, a Centre-Sud resident who helped organize the survey.

Although incumbent mayor Denis Coderre pledged that merchants would benefit economically from the race, some merchants say that wasn’t the case.