WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 2 2011
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WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 2 2011
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Heart beats again in City Mall Welcome back: Shoppers in City Mall enjoying being back in the central city.
Samantha Early
CENTRAL city property owner Antony Gough is suggesting a parking refund scheme to keep the momentum rolling for retailers after a successful opening for the City Mall Restart shopping precinct. Mr Gough, a member of Restart the Heart, said he was keen to see a parking validation scheme like the one which operated at the bars on The Terrace (formerly The Strip). He wanted to get shops to refund parking charges if shoppers spent a
certain amount. “I’m hoping to try and introduce that as a way of encouraging people to both come in and also shop” An estimated 20,000 people turned out over the weekend to see the 27 temporary shops set up in shipping containers which marked the first reopening for business of a large part of the red zone. Two Wilson Parking areas, charging $1 an hour were available, along with a Christchurch City Council car
park which offered two hours free parking, charging after that. Street parking in the vicinity was controlled by council parking meters, with many making the most of the sunny weather by parking a long way away and walking in. It is also close to the new temporary Central Station bus exchange. Mr Gough said parking charges were necessary to stop shopkeepers and the approximately 500 red zone workers using parks which were
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needed by shoppers. “We just wanted them to open their doors at the moment then we will go talking about fine tuning from there.” Central City Business Association manager Paul Lonsdale said Mr Gough’s idea was something to look at down the track. “I don’t think it’s going to be an issue; I think the atmosphere we’re getting so far, they’re really enjoying the experience and I don’t think a dollar
an hour is going to put them off.” Mr Lonsdale said having consistent shopping hours for the precinct was key to its success and many of the shops were opening beyond the minimum hours required of them by Restart the Heart. Ballantynes managing director Mary Devine said the lead-up to the opening was frantic. “Once we opened the doors it was so worthwhile, it was a fabulous weekend.”
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