Views from the Beach with TBBA

Call for Office workers to return

Level one is great news for our hospitality operators and retailers. As our latest spending figures show level three, and even level two, have been an absolute killer,” says Takapuna Beach Business Association (TBBA) chief executive, Terence Harpur.

The North Shore business leader is now calling on office workers to come back to base, saying the ongoing absence of so many is being felt by town centres around Auckland, including Takapuna.

“Working from home really hits our shops, restaurants, and personal services. We now need everyone to come back to the office and back to a sense of normality,” says Terence Harpur.

The TBBA has released Marketview data for the week ending March 7th – with six of those days under level three lockdown. It shows total retail spend in Takapuna was down 76.8% Terence Harpur. compared to the same week last year. In the week ending February 21st – which took into account the earlier three-day level three lockdown - retail spend was down by 48.3%.

Working from home really hits our shops, restaurants, and personal services. We now need everyone to come back to the office and back to a sense of normality.

“Let’s not forget that since Valentine’s Day Auckland has spent most of the time operating at either level three or level two. It has been a really tough four weeks, with level two also very challenging for our smaller retailers, bars, cafes, and restaurants given social distancing required and large gatherings prohibited.”

As well as showing a 76.8% fall in overall retail trade, Takapuna’s latest Marketview weekly report revealed spending in Takapuna on hospitality and accommodation was down74.4%; food, liquor and pharmacies down 53.6%; clothing, footwear and department stores down 78.8%; home and recreational retailing down 73.4%; and all other down 89.5%.

“We’re now hoping for a bounce over the next few months, but overall spending has been behind all summer, so we’re not taking anything for granted. We’re again calling on people to shop locally. We’re also putting a plea out to employers to think about the impact on town centres when office-based staff work from home.”

Terence Harpur says cellphone data in the past year has shown people do return to the Takapuna town centre in stronger numbers under level one, with the night-time economy recovering faster than the daytime economy. That again highlights the increasing prevalence of remote working and the impact of their day-time absence. He says car-parking occupancy has also fallen since Covid-19.

“Along with considerable freedoms returning under level one, the other good news is parking is easier, local businesses have never been happier to see you, and importantly shopping locally leaves a smaller carbon footprint.

Terence Harpur says Takapuna is in a more fortunate position than many other areas, as it is set to come out of the Covid-19 pandemic ready to fire. More than $50m-plus is being invested to modernise the Takapuna metropolitan centre as part of the Panuku-led ‘Unlock Takapuna’ urban regeneration project as well as the private sector investing significantly.

Contact: Terence Harpur, CEO, Takapuna Beach Business Association. Email: Terence@takapunabeach.org.nz

Talking Takapuna… your ultimate summer destination

Time is flying by so fast this year – it’s already Easter and the end of the first school term. We know the first part of this year has been a little rocky, so we hope you all have a wonderful Easter plans, and for those taking time off with the kids over the school holidays – enjoy!

Why not celebrate Easter and the school holidays with a staycation in beachside Takapuna? There’s the stunning beachside campground, or the wonderful Spencer on Byron Hotel for those wanting a little more comfort. They have a range of special accommodation and dining packages available year-round – like their School Holiday Package, that includes a dining voucher for their on-site restaurant SmokePit & Buoy for every night of your stay - plus you have access to their newly renovated heated pool, spa, gym and tennis court. for the Takapuna service and celebration. Lest we forget.

May is also the month we see a steady stream of students parade through Takapuna in their finery as they prepare for their Graduation Ceremony from Massey University. We just want to say a very big congratulations to all these students, and we wish you all the very best in whatever paths you take!

Don’t forget that you can stay up to date with all things happening and going on in Takapuna on our social channels and our website: visit www.ilovetakapuna.co.nz, or search “I Love Takapuna” on Facebook and Instagram. We also love to see your favourite snaps or pictures of what you get up to in Takapuna (or places and businesses you love to visit!), so please tag us: @ilovetakapuna and we might just re-share your snaps!

Takapuna is always the place to be in our opinion, but that’s even more true this school holidays…

Keep it local this month and help us support all the wonderful local businesses in Takapuna that have adapted so quickly to life in lockdown, stayed open where possible to help satisfy our caffeine and retail needs, helped us on nights where we were too tired to cook, or provided that sweet treat the family or your bubble needed to get through those afternoons at home. We have all done a fantastic job at supporting our local businesses through these lockdowns, but let’s keep the support going as we head into some cooler winter months ahead.

Takapuna is always the place to be, in our opinion, but that’s even more true this school holidays – if your kids love plays and shows, make sure you head to The PumpHouse Theatre to catch a performance of “A Lion in the Meadow and Other Stories” – a collection of the wonderful Margaret Mahy’s timeless stories.

The Bruce Mason Centre is also presenting a range of different musical events from the Kumeu Vintage Brass Band to Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra (APO) for Kids: Moe’s Guide to the Orchestra, to West End’s World of Musicals and then rounding out the month with an all-encompassing performance by the NZ String Quartet, Four Suits and a Soprano!

ANZAC Day is Sunday 25th April and will be celebrated in many ways and with many different parades and services throughout the country – so make sure you check out ilovetakapuna.co.nz/calendar

EVENTS: APRIL / MAY

• 8-9 Apr – Bruce Mason Centre: Subtle Dances (Auckland Arts Festival 2021)

• 10 Apr - Takapuna Japanese Cultural Showcase

• 10 Apr - Bruce Mason Centre - Yesterday Once More • 10 Apr - 1 May - The PumpHouse: A Lion in the Meadow and Other

Stories • 12 Apr - Bruce Mason Centre: Kumeu Vintage Brass • 17 Apr - Bruce Mason Centre: APO 4 Kids: Moe’s Guide to the Orchestra • 18 Apr – The Elephant Wrestler: Motel California (Eagles Tribute) • 20 Apr - Bruce Mason Centre: World of Musicals • 29 Apr - Bruce Mason Centre: The NZ String Quartet, Four Suits and a Soprano • 1 May – Bruce Mason Centre: Queen: It’s a Kind of Magic • 8 May – Urban Wine Walk Takapuna • 9 May – Takapuna Library: Waiata Mai Tamariki Mā - Māori songs for children • 20-21 May – The PumpHouse: Random Fairytale Generator • 23 May – The PumpHouse: The Word is Love – A Capella Gospel Choir • 25-27 May – Massey University Graduation Ceremonies

Check out all the fantastic photos shared to us by fellow Takapuna lovers! Tag us @ilovetakapuna or use #ilovetakapuna on Instagram to share your pics with us.

PRINCIPAL SPONSOR

GOLD SPONSORS: The Takapuna Beach Business Association appreciates the support of our Gold sponsors…

PLATINUM SPONSORS: The Takapuna Beach Business Association appreciates the support of our Platinum sponsors…