SkyCity rejects foundation claim of a Federal St 'web'

The Federal St upgrade will offer more outdoor dining. Photo / Dean Purcell

Outdoor restaurant expansions on to the newly upgraded one-way Federal St will improve Auckland and are not an attempt to draw people nearer the casino, says Nigel Morrison, SkyCity Entertainment Group chief executive.

New exterior seating areas are planned in the street which has just had a big makeover and Morrison said these moves were more for the sake of the city than to get customers into the gaming premises.

Problem Gambling Foundation chief executive Graeme Ramsey said there was a link between proximity and gambling problems.

"It looks to me like they are building a spider's web - with the casino at the centre," Ramsey said.

But Morrison said the outdoor seating areas would improve the area.

"Contrary to the Problem Gambling Foundation's suggestion, SkyCity's focus on Federal St is not about getting local people closer to the casino. It is about playing our part in making Auckland a vibrant and exciting place in which to live, work, and visit. For Auckland to appeal to international tourists, we need world-class restaurants.

"Our restaurants are all viable businesses in their own right and add to the attraction of staying at SkyCity Grand and SkyCity Hotel."

The Depot and The Federal Deli have outdoor seating areas and a small seating area is available outside Masu but no seating is outside The Grill. Morrison said an application had been made to Auckland Council.

SkyCity Entertainment Group chief executive, Nigel Morrison.

"SkyCity is currently going through the standard resource consent process all organisations are subject to after identifying some time ago, along with Auckland Council, the potential for Federal St to become another of the city's highly successful shared space projects.

"With summer around the corner, more alfresco seating on Federal St will allow for more public enjoyment of this central city space. This is just one part of SkyCity's contribution to making Auckland the world's most liveable city," Morrison said.

A report last year said SkyCity was to pay $5.5 million and Auckland Council $4.5 million of the costs to transform the street into a more pedestrian-friendly environment.