Businesses in Tauranga’s CBD say they are suffering and frustrated as issues with “aggressive” rough sleepers undermine revitalisation efforts.  One business moved to escape the problems, and another faces daily urine clean-ups.  Homelessness-related complaints to the Tauranga City Council have more than doubled since 2021, and people working at the coalface of the issue say homelessness has been increasing.  But they say the solutions are more complex than having enough housing.  ‘They have taken over’  The Bay of Plenty Times spoke with numerous CBD businesses, and many reported experiencing aggressive encounters and disruption.  Penny Henderson, who owns The Pottery Studio, said the business had moved from Devonport Rd to 10th Ave, in part because of issues caused by the homeless in the CBD.  “They could become quite aggressive. We’ve had one get really angry outside and start kicking things. Police came and took him away.”  Many would shout and yell at nothing – “you take a wide berth of those ones”.  The Pottery Studio was on Devonport Rd in the Tauranga CBD, but has moved to 10th Ave. Photo / Ayla Yeoman  Henderson said they had been “lucky” the neighbouring business was open during the same hours and would help when issues arose.  The Barrio Brothers and Sugo owner Josh Fitzgerald said everyone was trying to make Tauranga CBD a more attractive place, and the homelessness situation was not helping.  “Belongings are scattered all through the public space. They have full campsites.”  He had no issue with homeless people sitting and begging for money, but “they have taken over”.  “It’s the CBD business owners who suffer.  “It’s frustrating because it just seems like everyone is powerless to do anything.”  Restaurateur Josh Fitzgerald. Photo / File  Fitzgerald said a homeless person broke into one of his restaurants one night last year.  He said he did not receive any compensation for the damage caused.  Tranquillo Beauty Clinic owner Dani Sheridan said she and her staff had experienced multiple “unpleasant” interactions with the homeless on Grey St.  “A staff member of mine was almost bitten by one of their dogs.”  Staffer Moenah O’Shea said a few weeks ago a car parked up beside hers with two women who seemed to be living in it.  She noticed a large, muscular dog, similar to a pitbull, hanging around the car, which made her nervous.  “I slowly kept walking to my car and all of a sudden the dog just barked, growled, and then ran straight at me and jumped on me.”  Tranquillo Beauty Clinic staff member Moenah O’Shea and owner Dani Sheridan outside the Grey St business. Photo / Ayla Yeoman  As she turned away, a bottle of wine in her bag hit the dog, confusing it and providing enough time for its owner to notice what was happening.  “The two ladies just kept yelling at the dog rather than coming over and escorting their dog away.”  She “freaked out” when she saw another dog coming from the front of the car, but managed to escape into her vehicle.  During the nearly four years she had been working on Grey St, O’Shea said, she had noticed the homeless people in the area becoming more aggressive.  Customers often told her how unsafe they felt with people sitting in doorways, arguing in the street and causing disturbances.  “We’re trying to rebuild town, and having something like this makes people go to malls instead.”  Sheridan said they tried to be empathetic, but when clients felt intimidated they had to step in.  Stassano Deli on Grey St has also had problems with the homeless. Photo / Ayla Yeoman  Stassano Deli store manager Louise Pretorius said one man in particular was causing problems for them.  “He sits or lies on the benches, throwing empty coffee cups that trash our entrances.  “Another homeless lady walks up Grey St every morning and swe...