Takapuna Beach Business Association
general manager Peter White has emailed his members to suggest the market move as it would allow shoppers to stay dry, free up the carpark and provide Hurstmere Rd shops with extra foot traffic. He invited members to have their say in an online survey.
But long-time owners of the market, Fred and Trish Keith, believe it should stay where it is. Mr Keith says it isn't the first time such such a proposal has been put forward - the last time was 1997, when it failed.
He says planned upgrades to Hurstmere Rd and frequent sporting events along it mean it wouldn't be available every weekend.
"Apart from that, the market is already a highly successful business in Takapuna. Why change it?"
Mr Keith says stallholders, not business owners, should be the ones surveyed, as they are more affected by the move. Trish Keith agrees: "Quite honestly, we don't see it as viable at all."
Stallholder Fabian Steel and his wife, Carmen, own Mussel Madness. They've sold mussel fritters at the market for the past decade. Mr Steel says loyal customers come from all over Auckland to the carpark site.
"If it's not broke, don't fix it."
Mr Steel says cafes in Hurstmere Rd already get a spin-off from the market. It's less than a minute's walk through to Hurstmere Rd down one of several alleyways that connect to the market, and market-goers often head there for coffee or brunch.
Most other shops are closed on Hurstmere Rd on Sunday morning, so there's not a lot to hang around for.
David Kerr has exhibited photography at the market for five years and says there isn't enough space on Hurstmere Rd. "This area is bigger than what Hurstmere Rd could ever offer and shifting it would be a disaster."
His views are echoed by regular market-goer Gail, who works in nearby Huron St. She says a notice was placed in her work newsletter about the proposal. "It's a stupid idea. For a start, look at all the trucks, where would they all park?"
Toro Churro manager Damir Klun says the market has become an Auckland tradition and he is worried it won't be as busy if it moves.
"People are comfortable coming here - they have their special meeting points, they know the place."
He sells fried stick-style doughnuts that would compete directly with local cafes on Hurstmere Rd.
Fritter man Mr Steel is concerned foodsellers like them may be limited in what they can sell if the market moves to the retail area.
Aviva Raisun sells Kiwi bagels and wouldn't swap the carpark location for anything. "Yes, it would be good to be in a permanently covered place, but this place is more practical and people have been coming here for years."
Mr White says precinct-planning work is already underway to investigate the long-term development of the Anzac St carpark. He says although plans will include 250 carparks (in recognition of the fact that the carpark was purchased by businesses through a targeted rate), they may be underground or multi-storey, and won't be suitable as a market site.
Auckland Transport spokesperson Mark Hannan says Auckland Council's Urban Transformation team has been working on long-term planning for the central and beachfront precinct in Takapuna.
"Many of the public submissions made in 2010 showed a level of support for redevelopment of the carpark [although] Auckland Transport does not know of any plans for the market to move at this stage."
FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS
Mr White says the stalls could be located "sensibly", so as not to be in direct competition with retailers. He decided to survey shop owners first because if they didn't support the proposal there would be no point taking it further. He promises stallholders will be consulted and, even if all stakeholders agree, approval will still be needed from the local board and Auckland Transport.
Devonport-Takapuna Local Board member Jan O'Connor says the business association's proposal is a case of "tall-poppy syndrome".
"Can you imagine starting an extremely successful business, then being asked by the local business association to move out of the space you've occupied simply to help other retailers?"
Ms O'Connor says most shops on Hurstmere Rd are closed on a Sunday and the "freed-up" carpark will soon be filled by the vehicles of stallholders.
"The association receives $303,000 from its membership every year to support Takapuna businesses. The business association should be helping Hurstmere Rd shopkeepers; not relying on the owner of Takapuna Market, whose business attracts more shoppers to Takapuna on one fine Sunday than some local shops attract in 12 months."
The owner of Paper Plus on Hurstmere Rd, Vanessa Kerr, an executive member of the association, says closing Hurstmere Rd and putting the market there would create a "fantastic" atmosphere and add value to the area. "You don't want to change the market radically, it's just a way of evolving it."
The Home Fabrics store's Mike Sheehy, also supports a shift.
"It's a very good idea, but the key is improving the product line. We need farmers' market quality goods - not the same sorts of products sold in stores that are here already."
He says the carpark was originally purchased by retailers through rates, therefore should be available for all to use.
"Takapuna as a retail environment doesn't work on a Sunday because there's no parking. Chain stores find Sunday is a big day but in Takapuna it's flat. There's been a loss of potential on Hurstmere Rd."
Mr Sheehy says sporting events generally finished by noon, and if they don't they can be re-routed.
Mr White says the business association recognises the market's value and success.
"We would like to ensure it remains a Takapuna institution."
But he says moving it would likely change Hurstmere Rd retailers' thinking to the benefit of everyone.
"We would hope it would provide an incentive to retailers to open their shops, as the carpark would become available for customers to use and also allow thousands of people each Sunday to pass outside their shops."
Other benefits would include connectivity to the beach - by running fingers of market down laneways towards it - and creating an atmosphere and ambience on Hurstmere Rd that would likely entice more people there. Mr White says the association will also push for free entry to the carpark on Sunday mornings to further attract shoppers.
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