Roads for new Bethlehem Town Centre on track

Andrew Wadsworth

Tauranga's $15 million Bethlehem Town Centre redevelopment is on track with part of the new roading configuration, including the new road alongside the Columbus Cafe, expected to be open for traffic this month.

The arrival of new anchor tenant Kmart has resulted in a major restructuring of roads into and out of the centre. Kmart is expected to open in March next year.

"The next phase of roadworks - involving predominantly car park works in front of Kmart - will be completed before the busy period leading up to Christmas," said centre manager Andrew Wadsworth of Colliers International.

The restructuring will see major changes for the centre's food outlets, with nine stores to be positioned in front of Kmart.

Tank Juice Bar and Turkish to Go will move in as new tenants, while existing tenants Sushi Time, Domino's, Bayview Roasts Fish n Chips and Noodle Canteen will relocate from their present location to the new premises by late November.

Clever Kids - the first to be displaced by the new road and currently in a pop-up store - will relocate to be alongside Columbus Coffee. And early next year Liquorland and the House of Spice Indian restaurant will relocate into the spaces vacated by the fast-food tenants.

The block currently housing Liquorland and House of Spice will be demolished to complete the new roadworks and the centre aimed to have them relocated by mid-January.

New businesses already open at the Centre include high-end clothing store, After Hours, and new office tenant, Wine Export Marketing. Memories Shoes is another newcomer to the Centre due to open next month. Omnitech will also be arriving in November.

Clever Kids owner Judy Shaw hoped to be in her new premises by early November.

"We're really looking forward to being in the new store," said Ms Shaw. She added that fellow retailers had been very supportive.