Update - CCBA Earthquake Notice Tuesday, 5th September 201 Build a Stronger City Centre - Together! I have spoken to many businesses over the week and the mood in the main is still positive. We are encouraging our council to support the city centre by continuing the two hours free parking through 'till Christmas and a promotional fund to assist getting positive messages out through the media. It will be important to support businesses at this time as we do not want a large amount of vacant space in the city for the coming Rugby World Cup. This would not be a good look. I have a full street by street analysis below. Keep up the good work and above all, try and stay positive. City Trading Trading was variable, in other words there is no set pattern and many businesses still have not recovered to a usual trading pattern. Many people are still concerned that the city is unsafe and some still think that we have been flattened. However, some businesses are running great promotions that are proving to be successful so I ask you again to ensure you use your databases and incentivise your customers back into the city. Shine a Light It was heart warming to see The Rockshop shining a light down Manchester Street. The Rockshop is inside the Manchester Street cordon but these guys have opened from their Hereford Street delivery entrance and are doing so quite successfully. Director of operations Brett Wells said their customers actually enjoy coming in the delivery entrance but to assist people who cannot get into the city they are offering free delivery on any purchase...even a pick! Well done you guys and keep up the good work. Promotion & Advertising: I cannot stress enough the importance of promoting your business to your database, encouraging people back into the city. Down Town: The Press are putting together a tabloid to assist getting positive messages out. You may have already been contacted by The Press but see the attached flier for more information. The Press have heavily reduced costs to enable you to advertise. Please support your business and the city by contributing. The Press have also been very helpful with their 'Open for business' advertising campaign, funded entirely by The Press, commencing 27 Sept. 18x7 daily in hero tabs, value $10,000 per week, creative along the lines of the central city is open for business. Boyd Warren is leading this campaign. Well done and thank you. Parking: We are still working with council to see if we can get the two hour free parking to continue 'till Christmas. We see this as a long term initiative and will work with council on how it could be funded. Obviously, the immediate cost would be less than the loss of businesses and jobs in the city. Insurance I am receiving mixed reports on 'Loss of Profit' Insurance. Some have had support from their insurers and others have not. I believe that many businesses may not have fully understood what they were covered for and highlights the necessity to make sure you carefully read your policy and get clarification if you are uncertain about any aspects of your policy from your broker. Loss of Profit: Some businesses who were well insured still have not received any payments from their loss of profit insurance. Central Govt needs to step up and put some pressure on these companies to support these businesses. Insurance Payments: Building owners needing work to be done on buildings are facing stagnation from the building industry due to insurance companies being slow to pay out. Many builders are now running on four weeks without payment and in some cases will not do anymore work until insurance payments start coming through effectively halting progress. Businesses who have paid their insurance premiums for a time of crisis and this is what they are facing, a crisis. The cause now is not the quake but the insurers. Get on with the job, support these people. New Business: It is always encouraging to see new businesses opening in the city and we have been fortunate to have very little empty space coming out of this winter. It is my understanding that there are a number of international brands looking to open in the city and with the potential of Central City getting the needed attention to assist revitalisation maybe the right signal these businesses need to consolidate their decision to open here. National retailer Paper Plus - opened in Cashel Street City Mall last week. Nicolas Jermyn Shirtmakers - opening soon in Cashel Mall City Chic - opened recently cnr Cashel & High Streets Shades Arcade have had a number of additions                   Premi - Craft store                   Kiwi Curries express                   Spud Stop                    Caffeine Lab is to expand Support Council: It will be important that we support our council if we are to effectively rebuild our city and make it stronger. We need to help our council make the right decisions and the best way to do that is through clear, concise communication. Make Your Vote Count. You cannot complain about who has been elected if you do not vote. Voting closes this Saturday so I encourage you all to vote. The City Plan: The City Plan is the document that gives direction and guides the city with its decisions. Updating the city plan is now on council's radar and presents a unique opportunity for all of us to have input to get it right. We need to identify exactly what we see is required to assist building a better city centre and then effectively communicate our thoughts to assist the right decisions to be made. Street Updates Hereford Street: Is currently undergoing a revamp from Oxford Tce through to Colombo Street. A site meeting was held last week where businesses could air concerns. Many of the restaurants in Hereford Street reported massive drops in trade during the upgrade and City Care project manager Brian Jackson said the meeting was sobering. Brian pointed out that they are working around other contractors in the street; March Construction working on the cnr of Oxford Tce and Hereford Street and building upgrade contractors in the old ASB building site. Brian said they hope to finish the south side by the end of this week which will open up the site lines and the aim is to completely finish all works by Cup & Show week. There is still a one way restriction through this part and a road closure at Hereford & Colombo Street and a cordon just prior Manchester Street. Manchester Street: There are further delays to the decision about the fate of 160 Manchester Street. No through access in Manchester as the cordon runs along Manchester from Worcester - Half way between Hereford & Cashel and no through access in Hereford Street. Whatever the decision it will be at least another two to three months before any progress is made. The Council met yesterday to discuss the issues and Council staff recommended that the Council: (a) Does not part or fully fund retention of 160 Manchester Street due to the costs associated with its retention and the likely duration of impact on the surrounding buildings and businesses. Long story short - Council has adjourned its meeting until Wednesday 6/10/10 at 9.30. It will be a public meeting. A fresh report is being prepared by staff exploring the 'dangerous/demolish' issue. That report is to be with councillors and on the web by close of business Tuesday 5/10/10. Business Moved: While U Wait Studios has moved across the road. Groovy Glasses has set up temporary premises and can be contacted for appointment only business on ph:03 379 8747. They expect to open a new store at 155 High Street mid October. Caravan Camping & Marine have moved to 95 Manchester Street. Starfish Swimwear has relocated to 562 Colombo. Smith Books Store has relocated to 117 Manchester Street. Westende Jewellers have moved to a temporary location:169 Gloucester St (Bells Antiques). Beverley Studios will re-open in one week. True Grit Hair Salon is looking to relocate until the necessary work can be completed on their building. We will update you on their progress as the information comes to light. Cashel Street: Business as usual in City Mall with the exception two buildings in Cashel Street requiring work. Both these buildings are located east of Manchester. High Street: Six businesses were closed on Friday 1st Oct due to some buildings being deemed unsafe. Business owners were abruptly told to get out and were given little time to evacuate. This has highlighted issues where some businesses are ignoring the building status and/or building owners are not getting necessary structural work completed to get the clearance from a structural engineer to change the status from red/yellow to green. I have yet to find out whether this was the case in this instance but the handling of this was less than adequate from the businesses perspective. I ask you all to ensure that you consider your own and your customers safety. The Tram extension work is underway again from Cashel - Lichfield Street. Most businesses in this section are happy with the way works are progressing but obviously looking forward to the completion. Business as usual for most of High with many more businesses opening since my last update. World, Trelise Cooper, Infinite Definite, Andrea Moore, Head Over Heels and McKenzie & Willis are all now open. Businesses Moved: James from Stencil has set up a pop up store next to Head over Heels, Burgers & Beer Inc. have set up in Malbas cnr. Manchester & Cashel Street. Fashion store Plush are moving to Majestic cnr High & Lichfield Streets. This will be a temporary move until building work can be completed. They will be open by the end of the week. Colombo Street: Cordons have been reduced in many areas along here now and some businesses are back in operation. Businesses Moved: Long Horn Leather now located at 597a Colombo Street. R&R Sport, now located at 54 Lichfield Street. Sonya Smith Fashion Designer, operating from home ph:3778441 or mobile: 021 0248 5484 Tuam Street: Is looking more alive now the demolition of Para Rubber building out of the way. Some localised building issues many which will be completed in the coming months. Soho Hair Salon is now open. Businesses Moved: Peaches & Cream have moved to 130 Manchester Street. Lichfield Street: There are still some repairs to be completed on some buildings leaving some business not open at the moment. Fazazz The Motorist's Shop is now open. Businesses Moved: Apex Car Rentals has relocated from 160 Lichfield St to 33 Iversen Tce Entertainment Precincts: All three main entertainment precincts are open, The Terrace, SOL Square and Poplar Precincts. Paul Lonsdale Central City Manager Business Association                                                                                                 < PREVIOUS              NEXT >