City centre lifeless, say breakaway retailers | Bay of Plenty News | Local News in Bay of Plenty

A breakaway group of Tauranga downtown retailers is hoping to put some vibrancy back into the city centre.

The group is desperate to lift the gloomy public image that followed publicity around the long-running Willow St roadworks. Disruptions caused by the works contributed to several high-profile business failures.

The unnamed group, which had its first meeting two weeks ago, has gained the support of Tauranga mayor Stuart Crosby who said there needed to be more positivity in the downtown.

Chris Duffy of Devonport Rd's Idiom Boutique insisted it was not a rebel group to oppose the existing Mainstreet Tauranga organisation - all they wanted was to get some things in motion and to do it with Mainstreet Tauranga.

Mainstreet Tauranga is the long-established downtown promotional and marketing organisation funded by a targeted rate from all businesses in the CBD.

Mr Duffy said they wanted to see a bit more happening in the CBD but it had been hard to bring their ideas to fruition through Mainstreet.

"It is about bringing families back into the city and having a bit more to offer."

Mr Duffy said there was a lack of atmosphere and things were a bit tired.

"A lot of ideas are falling on deaf ears and that is why we are doing what we are doing."

Susanne Irwin, of Robert Harris Cafe, said a number of really good ideas came out of the first meeting, with a strong push for positive action.

"There is a lot of creative people in the retail community."

She said it was about getting the right actions out of Mainstreet and changing people's perceptions. Suggestions included holding little events more often - tapping into the performing arts, visual arts and music groups.

Mr Crosby said it was tough for retailers and, although the council had to take some of the responsibility because of the roadworks, he questioned whether the money collected for Mainstreet was being used to its best advantage.

"I would say no. Two hundred thousand dollars is a lot of money."

Mr Crosby said the group of disaffected retailers were looking for a more proactive approach to bring more vibrancy and positivity back into the CBD. They represented a new generation of retailers with fresh ideas.

Although parking was an issue in the downtown, he said it was not a show-stopper.

The key thing was to create a point of difference with the city's outlying shopping centres.

Duarne Lankshear, project manager of the council's City Centre Action Group, said they were getting alongside Mainstreet to improve and bolster positive marketing for the city centre.

He said there had been some bad press and it was now about being proactive and repositioning the city centre.

Mr Lankshear said a lot of initiatives were planned between now and Christmas and they were working with the group of retailers.

Tauranga Mainstreet manager Kirby Weis declined to comment, except to say that if members had concerns, the most appropriate thing was for everyone to get together and talk about it, rather than do it through the media.

The retailer meeting and subsequent events occurred while Mr Weis was on holiday for two weeks.

No Mainstreet board member was invited to the meeting, which was attended by about a dozen people.