Fans won't go away hungry

Morris St in Napier South will become a busy food court for a day next month. Photo / Warren Buckland

The usually quiet residential suburban roadway which runs behind the McLean Park embankment will be transformed into a buzzing, simmering and bubbling food court when the All Blacks hit town on September 6.

Morris St will be partially closed off to make way for a string of food and beverage stalls - everything from hot dogs and chips, pies and pastries to Turkish kebabs.

"All sorts of things, and we seeking more vendors," Hawke's Bay Rugby Union commercial manager Jay Campbell said.

There would also be bar facilities and additional portable toilets.

"We are having to cater for a very big crowd and we want to make this event as user-friendly as possible."

The food court was being set up for the thousands of people who will be seated on the embankment-based temporary grandstand and have access using pass-outs.

Mr Campbell said only half the roadway would be used to create minimal disruption for the street's residents, who had been advised and consulted regarding the plan by the Napier City Council.

The street food court would complement a second food village which would be set up on the grassed area behind the Harris Stand off Latham St.

To further cater for the expected 22,500 spectators Mr Campbell said a third "village" would be set up behind the Graeme Lowe Stand although was more a necessity given the prevalence of refreshment outlets.

It will be a Portaloo village.

Meanwhile, tickets sales for tonight's ITM cup clash between championship side Hawke's Bay and premiership visitors Taranaki had been going well, Mr Campbell said.

Just over 4500 tickets had been sold and he was expecting the usual walk-up crowd to swell that to up to 6500 spectators.

Unfortunately, as final consent had yet to be obtained, the spectacular 9000-seat temporary stand was likely to be off limits. "But there is plenty of other seating."

Mr Campbell said there appeared to be little adverse reaction to the park being dry in the wake of a liquor licence application falling short by one day.

However, spectators in "behind the glass" areas, including the Pettigrew lounge and Graeme Lowe Stand lounges, along with those attending a pre-match dinner at the park, will still be able to have a drink by virtue of a separate caterer's licence.