Hastings CBD plan sorely needed | Hawkes Bay News | Local News in Hawkes Bay

The closure of Hastings Reading Cinemas, empty shops and unruly

behaviour has people asking questions about the state of Hastings CBD.

But those working behind the scenes believe the future of main-street

retailing looks bright. Lawrence Gullery reports. WHAT is happening to our CBD?

That's the question put to the Hastings District Council by its Maori Joint Committee this week and is more than likely the question many people would like answered.

Committee member Bayden Barber said the closure of the Hastings Reading Cinemas recently signalled that "things were going backwards" in the CBD.

"When you see empty shops, talk of potential road changes through the middle of town, it signals an alert," Mr Barber said.

He made the comments as the committee was updated on the council's work around its long-term plan review.

"I was in Kaitaia the other week, and they've got a flash new picture theatre. Then I came home to hear that ours had closed down.

"How can a small town like Kaitaia have a new cinema and we've now got nothing? I just thought I'd bring that up with the council," he said.

The council is working on a plan for the future development of the CBD, which is due to be released in June, and it's timely, as last month's closure of the cinema had put a spotlight on the problems facing the city's retail centre.

Filling the 16 vacant premises Hawke's Bay Today counted in the city centre must be at the top of the list when it comes to fixing the CBD. It's followed closely by a perception people don't feel safe using the city centre, fuelled by poor behaviour from some citizens.

An example was a small park on Warren St which was being used as a toilet, as reported by retailers.

Hastings district councillor Simon Nixon said there were always going to be a few empty shops in every town, but Hastings' current situation raised the question of how many shops the city centre could support.

"It seems that we have a retail expectation that might be beyond the means of the community to support.

"We should also ask the question, should we be shrinking down the CBD because we have allowed big-box retailing to stretch it out so far," Cr Nixon said.

"Really, if we are going to do anything, we should look at the big picture and that's whether we are going to grow the number of people visiting here or are we going to improve the spending power, the wealth and the income of the people already living here?" he said.

Cr Nixon said he wanted economic development to be at the forefront of council's CBD development plan.

"The problem is Hawke's Bay doesn't seem to have a growth strategy for broader economic development, not just for Hastings, but across the region."

He recognised the redevelopments of McCain and Wattie's in Hastings and the move by retail giant Farmers, consolidating into one shop, would "save the whole of Heretaunga St".

"It is so big and permanent it will draw a lot of people back into town."

Councillor Wayne Bradshaw's family had been Hastings retailers for 50 years, and he said people misbehaving in the CBD needed closer attention by the council and police.

"I think that the council's principle role is to provide a safe environment for the community, and that is something we haven't paid much attention to," Cr Bradshaw said.

"Now we've got people going into small parks, urinating in the CBD. We've got young people swearing and spitting. Is that an issue for the community or the police?

"If it is the police, let's get in behind them to help sort the problem. Or do we only respond when something happens, or can we become more proactive and set a vision for what we want to happen to the CBD in the future?"

Property Brokers commercial property manager Murray Keane said vacant shops were not "Hastings specific". Napier also had its fair share of retail space waiting to be filled.

"At the moment there is a strong inquiry level for Hastings CBD, but the number of empty sites means there is a bit of choice for people to think about," Mr Keane said.

"I think the CBD will come right. It will take time and it hasn't been easy for retailers over the past few years."

Mr Keane said he did not think connecting the two Heretaunga St blocks, to create one through road in the CBD, would be of benefit.

"I think the central block is good, and we do need a focal centre and that's something we do have at the moment with the water fountain there."

Long-time Hastings retailer Robert Griffiths, who runs Grieve Diamond Jeweller, confirmed trading had become difficult for retailers who needed to be savvy in order to avoid closure.

"Retailers have been through a few difficult years, and if you haven't got a specific market or specific focus, it's going to be tough to survive," Mr Griffiths said.

"I also see conditions getting tougher for retailers when they start seeing the increases in their insurance costs come through as a result of the Christchurch earthquake."

He said insurance premiums had "skyrocketed" and those extra costs were being passed on from landlords to tenants.