An armed robbery's being blamed on Auckland's multi-billion City Rail Link project

Richard Choi was alone in his Albert Street convenience store last Sunday, when two men with guns demanded cash and cigarettes - and threatened to kill him.

The two men have since been arrested, but Choi says he's been stressing about the incident daily.

He says fencing erected near the store for CRL roadworks provided cover for the robbery.

But CRL boss Dr Sean Sweeney says they need the fences there to comply with health and safety laws.

He says the wire mesh is wide enough to provide clear vision from both sides.

Several businesses, including Choi's, face eight years of disruption from the CRL roadworks, and Mayor Phil Goff believes there's a strong case for a financial hardship package.