While France hosts next week’s Group of Seven summit, businesses in neighbouring Switzerland have already begun taking precautions, with many shops in Geneva boarded up ahead of a large anti-G7 demonstration expected on Sunday.

Geneva security officials said around 50,000 people are expected to take part in the protest. Authorities plan to close or restrict access at 27 border crossings between Switzerland and France from Friday evening as part of heightened security measures.

G7 leaders are due to arrive in Geneva before being transported across the border to the summit venue in the French town of Evian-les-Bains.

Major security operation underway

Switzerland is deploying 4,000 troops on its territory to support security during the three-day summit, while France has announced the deployment of 8,000 police officers for the gathering in Evian, which begins on Monday.

Fears of unrest have prompted many Geneva businesses to protect their premises. Damien Gall, owner of carpentry firm Espace, said his company had installed more than 2,000 square metres of wooden boarding for local businesses.

Taxi driver Lamine Lasbet said the preparations were already affecting livelihoods.

"We'll stay at home, I won't lie. So it's three or four days without working," he said.

Concerns over economic and property damage

Some residents questioned why Geneva should bear the consequences of a summit taking place across the border in France.

Souvenir shop owner Eric Affolter said memories remain of the 2003 G8 summit in Evian, when clashes between protesters and police resulted in property damage in Geneva.

"Geneva isn't in France, so the problem is spilling over into another country," he said.

Carole-Anne Kast, a senior Geneva official, said the canton is expected to spend around 20 million Swiss francs (about $25 million) on security measures. She added that authorities have worked to minimise the risk of violence and damage to property during the demonstrations.

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