A major department store development has been announced for Heretaunga St - a move retailers hope will revitalise Hastings' main shopping strip.
The new Farmers store, due to open in August next year, will be bigger than both of the retailer's existing Hastings stores put together.
It will be built on thecorner of Heretaunga and King Streets, in the historic Roachs' department store building, now TSB Corner.
Current staff will transfer to the new two-level, 6500sq m shop.
Farmers chief executive Rod McDermott said cosmetics, fragrances, and more clothing brands would be added to the range, and the homewares range expanded.
TSB Bank will remain at its current site, but other retailers will move elsewhere.
Hastings City Marketing manager Jane Janes said the development was a huge boost for the inner city.
"It will be a really positive experience for shoppers because they'll be able to come into Farmers and then visit the various other stores around."
The retailer is among several arriving or expanding in Hastings, including Middle Eastern food outlet Kilim, opening its third Hawke's Bay store on Russell St.
Great Outdoors Hastings has relocated to Heretaunga St East, and a new Telecom Shop is to open in Market St.
Ms Janes said the sector would get a further boost with the council's street upgrade for two Heretaunga St blocks.
Hastings Mayor Lawrence Yule said the development would add "significant retail strength" to the city centre.
"This sizeable investment, coupled with the current construction on the old Nelson Park site, shows the strength of the Hastings retail market, even in these recessionary times."
Concerns have been raised about the historic Roachs' building, completed in 1934 after the original building was destroyed in the 1931 earthquake.
Last year an architecture advisory panel to Hastings District Council objected to Farmers' plans, saying a second storey would spoil the building's rooftop rotunda, the development was too big for the main street, and parking provisions would be inadequate.
Farmers said the treatment of the building was in line with resource consent provisions, and a limited number of carparks would be provided.
