Campaign aims to get inner-city area bustling

OPEN 'TIL LATE: Paper Plus' Chris Juddery, campaign leader Stephanie Mitchell, from United Travel, and Graeme Cundy of Dickens Inn are optimistic for a busy Friday night in Whangarei. PHOTO/MICHAEL CUNNINGHAM

Retailers determined to make the most of the Whangarei's newly beautified CBD are rallying to get the area pumping on Friday nights, under the Open 'til Late campaign.

Whangarei's inner-city shops are now open until at least 8pm on Fridays, as businesses cash in on the district council's $2.7 millon laneway shared space, that covers parts of Cameron and John streets. The laneway opened with a Friday night street party on November 27 that was attended by hundreds.

The co-ordinator of CBD Actioneers, Stephanie Mitchell, said she wanted to keep the vibe of that night going.

"We're talking about getting traction and not wanting it to be a one-off. We thought firstly, we want the CBD to be open more. It's just a ghost town on the weekends," Ms Mitchell said.

She said an obvious starting point was to reinstate Friday late night shopping - which started last night. About 45 business operators met to organise the campaign this week, with "standing room only" at the packed meeting at Dickens Inn.

"The general outcome is that we will be open late on Fridays during daylight saving, then winter trading which will see an extension of Saturday hours - which works in with winter sports."

The group would apply for road closures on the third Friday of the month for live entertainment.

"We'll provide a forum where young talent can get a start. There's plenty of bands who are talented but have nowhere to showcase their work."

Dozens of shops were displaying posters supporting the campaign. Ms Mitchell was encouraging people to use the hashtag #KeepWhangareiOpen on social media to show their support and put forth ideas for CBD revitalisation.

"There's so much apathy in town it's hard to cut through that," she said. "We really do need the public to get in behind this if they want it to take off."

Retailers were enthusiastic about the idea.

"Because it's pre-Christmas people are willing to try it out. The reluctance is less than it would be at another time of year," Ms Mitchell said.

Councillor Cherry Hermon said it was "fantastic" to see businesspeople taking ownership.

"It's great to see initiatives like this coming from the public who want to step forward and enliven things.

"I think fantastic, good for them."