Wollongong hospitality bosses say the UCI world cycling event is so far failing to attract a predicted boost in patronage to their bars, cafes and restaurants.
Economic development advocacy group Business Illawarra spoke confidently in the lead up to the event that an Olympic-scale celebration would attract more than 300,000 people to the city over eight days.
"We expect it will attract the largest volume of people ever to gather in our CBD and surrounds," the group said.
"It will be the largest event ever held in Wollongong, and we expect it will attract the largest volume of people ever to gather in our CBD and surrounds."
But so far that hasn't happened.
Bull and Bear owner David Juarez Vidal said his trade was down by at least 50 per cent.
"Let's be honest we have been fed a lie," he said.
"All I have heard for months and months now is we are going to have such an influx of visitors and international guests and people coming to watch the race here in Wollongong, [yet] my business turnover is down just on regular trade."
Good Times Only owner Ben Abrahams, whose company operates three bars in Wollongong, also said he was disappointed the event hadn't brought the promised crowds.
"So we've put extra staff on, bought extra stock, generally got ourselves ready," he said.
"There was a lot of hours that went into it as well, because when you have to load yourself up with so much extra staff and so much extra stock, there's a lot of co-ordination that happens.
"We don't mind pulling those hours of course, like any business owner but you do like to see a bit of reward at the end of it all."
Busy near the beach
Diggies founder Stan Crinis said some days had been busy at his North Beach venue, which was next to the cycle route.
"It actually hasn't been too bad," he said.
"Probably the lead-up to the road closures last Thursday [and] Friday were really busy.
"We started feeling that really good buzz."
He said Saturday was busy due to the related music event SpinFest.
"More people than New Years Eve and we pumped all day long," he said.
Wollongong City Council has encouraged people to come into the city to enjoy the atmosphere and soak up the events.
Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery said parking was available, public transport was running and there was a real and tangible atmosphere in the city.
"What I want to say to those who are concerned about coming into Wollongong for fear of large crowds or difficulty finding a park is, don't be," Mr Bradbery said.
The cycling event also caused major traffic problems on Monday afternoon as all northern routes out of the city were blocked off.
Drivers were forced to go south-west to get onto the motorway and Memorial Drive.
The blockages cleared quickly once roads were re-opened.
Sunday is expected to be the busiest day when the men's elite road race runs from 10.15am till 4.50pm with the maximum number of road closures in place.
