Editorial: Strand needs own Eat Streat

Eat Streat's layout creates a great atmosphere and makes it an ideal place to relax and have a drink or a meal. Photo / File

There are plenty of reasons Tauranga is a great place to live - world-class beaches, a great climate, plenty of picturesque walking tracks and bike trails nearby.

But one thing it is missing is a dedicated dining precinct.

Rotorua's Eat Streat is a perfect example of what we need - the layout creates a great atmosphere and makes it an ideal place to relax and have a drink or a meal. During my last visit there conversation turned to how much Tauranga needed a similar area.

As we report today, from May 15, Tauranga will finally get its first taste of what our own eat street could be like. The bottom section of Wharf St will be reduced to one-way of traffic.

From Wharf St, diners will be able to enjoy a view of the harbour.

I was excited about the idea when we first reported it in February this year and I'm glad it has come to fruition so quickly.

It will be an exciting addition for the city and add to the vibrancy of The Strand.

It will be a great place for locals to spend an evening out and unwind as well as something tourists and visitors can enjoy.

We want people to leave the region having experienced our best and give them a reason to come back. This will certainly help. Also in the works is a pop-up lunchtime market on the grassed area of the waterfront each Friday.

Sure, restaurant owners could view it as a threat but competition can only improve the area. Competition makes sure everyone is performing their best.

Tauranga's waterfront is a beautiful place - there are not many cities in the world that can boast of such an amazing view.

Anything that adds life to the area and encourages more people to enjoy it should be considered and trialled.

The Jazz Festival's Downtown Carnival is one example of how the area can be utilised. Thousands of people packed The Strand and the bars and restaurants were full to capacity.

We can't do that every weekend but any small additions and attractions should be welcomed. I'm glad the Eat Streat idea is going ahead and am looking forward to heading down for a quiet night out to enjoy our beautiful city.