Riccarton shopkeepers are calling for a stop to those loitering outside the bus lounge.

The local community board is trying to address more than 300 reports of 'victimisation' in the past year, as youths and homeless people loiter around the Christchurch bus lounge.

Nature Discoveries retail manager Kathleen Ryder says they had concerns about the bus lounge right from when it was first suggested.

She says the anti-social behaviour's off-putting to potential customers.

"We've actually heard some homeless verbally abusing people who haven't given them a donation as they've walked past."

Ryder says she sees customers hassled and propositioned for money on their way from the mall to her shop.

"Even when we are popping across the road on our lunch break they've asked us. It's actually quite a confrontational behaviour."

She says it is making people think twice before walking through the neighbourhood.

"Children coming out of the mall with their parents actually voiced that they don't want to come down that side of the street when they are there."

However, Ryder says there've been fewer youths and homeless people about for the past week or so - though she doesn't know why.