Editorial: Heart of city gains new life

A city centre is a living being and when new life is breathed into it, we all benefit.

Hastings CBD has copped some criticism in the past, but this week could be the start of a new era with one of the national retail giants showing huge faith in the city by opening a big new store.

Farmers' new store - set over two levels with 6000sq m of floor area - is opening tomorrow on the corner of Heretaunga and King Streets. It has more space than the existing two stores put together and features Hastings' first escalator.

This is good for the city because it shows that the national retail chains have not lost interest in small provincial cities and it also shows that the economic situation is improving. The dire days of retail hell appear to be over and obviously the signs are there that people are spending more money. I have spent time in Auckland, Napier and Hastings recently and I have certainly seen more people out and about parting with their cash. It was quite distressing at the height of the global financial crisis to see the retail and hospitality industries suffering. As much as we all love a good sale, it did become a bit disconcerting when some of the big retail chains had sales all year around. They were battling to sell merchandise, because no one could afford to buy.

The Farmers move is also a good signal that Hastings CBD is a prime location. The Hastings District Council is working hard at making parts of the city centre safer that previously had a bit of a reputation, and I think an influx of consumers into the area will help this process along.

I am sure there will be a significant number of people who will flock to see the new store this week. Hopefully, this can be sustained and will lead to an economic boost.

The signs are there that our economy is moving into positive territory. Speaking to business people and estate agents, one gets the sense that, while we are not out of the woods yet, things are improving. Outgoing Hawke's Bay Chamber of Commerce CEO Murray Douglas certainly believes that and says this is one of the reasons he feels he can step aside and concentrate on his growing fig business.

Farmers may just be another store opening in Hastings but it is an indicator that there is life in Hastings CBD and our economy.

That can only be a good thing.