Central city  |  4 Mar 2020

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Retail spending in Christchurch’s city centre is on the rise, boosted by the opening of major public and commercial attractions in the past 12 months.

Spending has increased 15.3 per cent year on year, as of September 2019, as the range of retail, hospitality and entertainment offerings continue to grow. The opening of Riverside Market, the Christchurch Town Hall and the Ōtākaro  Avon River Precinct are all seen as contributors.

The figures were considered today by the Christchurch Momentum Committee, which endorsed a refreshed cross-agency action plan that aims to encourage people back into the Central City.

Agencies involved include Christchurch City Council, ChristchurchNZ, Central City Business Association, Development Christchurch Ltd, Ōtākaro and Regenerate Christchurch.   

Mayor Lianne Dalziel, who co-chairs the Christchurch Momentum Committee, says there has been progress in the central city since the Central City Action Plan was put in place 15 months ago, but more still needs to be done.

“Pedestrian counts in the central city have continued to show month on month growth and we have more significant openings planned in the coming months of facilities like Te Pae (Christchurch Convention Centre).

“However, the number of residents living in the Central City is down by about a quarter compared to 2011, while the Central City workforce is back to 80 percent of where it was. The projects underway to support this growth are critical.”

Work to encourage businesses to set up in the city centre and for people to continue to move into the central city is ongoing as part of the Action Plan.

Key initiatives delivered since Action Plan was put in place include:

  • Marketing campaigns by ChristchurchNZ and AirNZ aimed at attracting residents and domestic visitors.
  • Coordination of events for the winter season in a ‘What’s On’ guide.
  • Activations – such as Little Andromeda and Winter Circus – that add life to the city centre.
  • The establishment of lighting and street art projects.

The Christchurch Momentum Committee is recommending some additional activities are added to the Action Plan, such as looking at solutions to tackle homelessness, developing a Central City parking policy and exploring opportunities to establish a free electric bus shuttle service.

The Committee’s recommendations will be considered by Council next month.