Taradale shopping precinct filling up; social media presence helping promote business

Taradale Marketing's Linda Walsh and Sharon James in front of the new mural in Symons Lane with the Taradale page on Instagram. Photo / Warren Buckland

Retail businesses are flocking to Taradale and a growing social media presence is boosting its reputation even further.

The Napier suburb is already one of Hawke's Bay's fastest-growing areas for housing and Taradale Marketing Association marketing coordinator Linda Walsh said its stature as a good place to do business was going the same way.

"Our occupancy is very, very high. At the end of this month, there is another shop opening, and then we'll only have three empty shops."

That would bring Taradale's commercial occupancy rate to 97 per cent, marking a turnaround from a period just three years ago when there were 14 empty shops.

"So, there is demand. A small shop came onto the market and leased very quickly."

Having lower commercial rates than central Napier was also a drawcard for business owners, she said.

About two months ago the organisation established an Instagram presence that has had a "fantastic" response.

"People are passionate about Taradale, so we get a really good following, the same with the Facebook page when we put stuff up.

"We have a website [www.Taradale.co.nz] and we also have a Facebook Page [Taradale Village]. Our Facebook page currently has over 2480 likes and an increasing reach, making it an excellent tool to promote business in Taradale."

Walsh said the number of food-based businesses, rather than traditional retail outlets, was growing.

Lessees were mainly "true locals" and some overseas-born businesses owners.

"There is a lady who has just started a beauty therapy nail bar, and she used to actually have a businesses in Paris but she moved back here with her husband and started a businesses here in Taradale."

Originally started more than 20 years ago as a business association and now operating as a target rate-funded organisation aimed at promoting the Taradale suburb, the marketing association also runs a "shop local" campaign alongside its advocacy role for members.

"On top of this we have member landlords. There are over 100 buildings, some multiple tenancies and, at last count around 60 landlords. "

The organisation has a membership of more than 200.

"Despite being a 'business association' our events and projects are done with community in mind, inviting community in to the Taradale shopping precinct to shop, dine and relax.
We spend a large proportion of our budget on a range of community activities."