New shops open next month in Plaza facelift

Hugh Lambie, Robyn Burns, Costa Katsoulis, and Hiromi Onuma. Photo / Paul Taylor

A $4 million redevelopment of The Plaza in Hastings, renamed The Plaza Shopping Centre, will have its first stage open by Labour Weekend.

It will include retailers St Pierre's Sushi, Plaza Pharmacy and two new kiosks. Spice Traders and an unnamed Australasian food chain are due to open in November.

Property developer Hugh Lambie bought the centre in May last year and said he had been working with "some of New Zealand's top shopping centre experts and their advice was very clear".

"The market will respond well to a major upgrade and as a result, we are spending double the original amount we had intended," he said.

The addition of new food retailers and late night trading was a result of research, with the food choice helped by a Facebook survey that identified sushi and Indian food as favourites.

Late night trading will start in November.

"At this stage we're looking at Thursday night."

Kmart manager Charlie Wynyard said the new food tenants would support Kmart's decision to extend its trading hours.

"We look forward to welcoming customers to the new look centre and to enjoy the new shopping experience," he said.

The Plaza has a foot traffic count of 30,000 per week, expected to increase following the refurbishment and new tenants.

The centre is 95 per cent leased, with new tenants expected to provide the equivalent of 25 full time jobs.