The Christchurch City Council is looking into creating a bylaw to get rid of beggars in the central city.

Fed up business owners have complained to local councillors about the problem.

Christchurch City Councillor Paul Lonsdale said it's not a new problem, but it is one that needs to be dealt with.

He has a meeting scheduled next week "to discuss with our staff that actually create bylaws on what would be appropriate, can we introduce one, what effect it would have, if any."

"It's inconvenient for the shop owners when they lean up against the shop windows and stores, and are maybe sometimes hanging out in their doorway, that's the sort of inconvenience they cause."

Paul Lonsdale said they're also working closely with police.