Council manager of venues and events Nelita Byrne and Historic Village manager Blair Graham. Photo / George Novak
Millions of dollars on upgrades, years of effort, and rising visitor numbers despite the lack of international tourists have helped bring the Historic Village back to life.
Businesses say the village had become a destination of its own and some were overwhelmed by how much busier it was.
Already exceeding 254,830 entries, it is predicted the village will quickly surpass the 214,556 visitors in the six months to June 2020 and 251,572 in the same period in 2019.
Almost $3 million has been spent in the past three years on upgrades, including renewal of the village hall, function venue and new community gardens.
Historic Village manager Blair Graham said years' of effort and financial support had brought the village back to life.
"It has always had the potential, it's taken investment to realise itself."
Graham said the village has become a magnet for locals, and people supporting local businesses had given the community a welcomed boost.
"It was almost like locals rediscovered the village after the lockdown."
During the lockdowns, Tauranga City Council reduced the rent for historic village businesses, introducing a 50 per cent rent cut for commercial and retail tenants and a 100 per cent rent holiday for community groups.
Graham said the council invested $85,000 to help village businesses pay rent and quickly recover from the economic strains of the lockdown.
"We didn't lose a single tenancy and found the businesses were well-positioned after the lockdown with no fallout."
Graham said their focus was to work alongside tenants to keep the village up-to-date and running smoothly, with its 10-year strategic plan actioned in December 2020 built on "extensive" community feedback.
"We are accountable for the community, and we have heard what they have said."
Graham said the strategic plan involved growing the creative community and village culture.
"The community was stoked with what we were doing and was keen to progress cultural aspects, vibrancy and more arts events."
Graham said their main incentive was to support the tenants in developing a creative hub for locals to enjoy.
"The village's biggest asset has always been its people."
Village improvements were mostly helped by The Incubator Creative Hub, which worked to develop the village's artistic side, he said.
"It has been really beneficial having the likes of The Incubator here, they're artistic people - they know what vibrancy is.
"It's about activating spaces, you have these dark corners and it's about filling it with something bright and vibrant."
Tourism Bay of Plenty chief executive Oscar Nathan agreed that The Incubator's presence had added a creative flair to the village.
"Thanks to The Incubator's team and influence, the Historic Village has become a vibrant, welcoming space that locals and manuhiri (visitors) enjoy exploring."
The Incubator Creative Hub director Simone Anderson said the growth of the village since their arrival in 2013 had been mind-blowing.
"It has exceeded all our expectations. We've been overwhelmed by how many people have come to check things out and there's even awareness from all around the country."
Anderson said this support stems from people working together and building connections in the artistic community.
"Art is a universal language. We are building a cohesive community through art."
The Whipped Baker owner Frances Cooper said the progress of the village since they first moved in six years ago has resulted in a booming business.
"When we first moved in here it was dead, now it's a lot busier. There are queues out the door every day."
Cooper credited their success to the support of locals throughout the lockdown, which has kept their business growing over the years.
"If it wasn't for our locals, we wouldn't be in the position we are.
"We're really happy, the growth is great and we can see real changes."
Village resident Tony Pill from Roundabout Records said the village was thriving.
"It's getting better all the time, a lot of effort has gone into the village."
Pill reopened his business in the village three years ago, after selling his Piccadilly Arcade record store about 20 years ago.
He said the village had turned into a busy hub for locals to explore the creative businesses.
"It's totally different here, it's about being a destination rather than relying on foot traffic."hbbghbb