In a scene reminiscent of the streets of Sydney, a black tunnel has appeared on the corner of Keen and Magellan streets in Lismore.

The footpath tunnel, made of scaffolding, boards and construction works, have created an eerie funnel, through which CBD shoppers need to walk as they go about their business.

Timezone owner Graeme Hoskins said his shop, located right on the corner, was a bit dark, but so far it hadn’t stopped people coming in.

Graeme said the construction works were for a safety overhaul of the awnings over the shops, and had been a long time in the coming.

“Council did an inspection three years ago,” he said. “They were worried about the awning and wanted to strengthen the top and make it safer.

“The tunnel is so nothing falls on people as they move around the CBD.”

While Graeme currently only has a black outlook from his shop front door, he said “it will be good to look out the window - so the sooner it’s done, the better".

Timezone owner Graeme Hoskins and his staff are in good spirits as the awning work continues.

“If it takes too long, we might have to drill a hole in the wall there so we can see the sun,” he laughed.

“It hasn’t worried us too much at this stage, it was nice they did it after Covid.”

It is expected it will take two to four weeks for the work to be completed.