The $64 million Prahran Square has been pilloried for its lack of shade and “extreme glare”, with a concert cancelled after the new public space was branded “nowhere near fit for purpose”.

In a blistering email, the Chapel Street Precinct Association has accused Stonnington Council of a lack of foresight and planning and said the issues experienced at Prahran Square went beyond “mere teething problems”.

Local trader Alison Baker says the public do not like Prahran Square because it is "white and glary". Credit:Eddie Jim

Some traders say the square is unpopular with the public – with the two-storey underground car park at only 25 per cent capacity – and a shady park would have been more appealing than a “hot white box”.

But the council says a lot of people are using the square for reflection and recreation. It says the square is only two months old and some events have worked better than others.