CBD busy as shops move to prime spots

MOVEMENT: Tutanekai St has seen some comings and goings lately. PHOTO/BEN FRASER

Shops looking for better locations and bigger premises are helping to create movement in the Rotorua central business district.

Streetwear store Red Rat has moved from its old Hinemoa St location to the mall end of Tutanekai St, Stirling Sports has moved across the road to a bigger location on the same street and renovations are nearing completion on the old Westpac building to allow for salon St Bruno to make the move.

New stores are also eyeing up Rotorua as a location with United Sweets taking up a kiosk position in Rotorua Central, Dunkin Donuts has its signs up and is set to open in Tutanekai St and fast food chain Pita Pit confirming it has hopes to move into the local market.

Inner City Focus Group spokesman Mike Steiner said it was all good news for the town, with retailers feeling a "cautious optimism".

He said the town was heading in the right direction with noticeable increases in foot traffic and the free parking initiative helping to draw people to town.

"I've been greatly encouraged by the feedback we've been getting from the general public who are saying they're enjoying getting back into the city."

Mr Steiner said the state of the town had improved a "hell of a lot" over the past 12 months, looking more attractive and feeling safer.

"We've got more people now seriously looking at Rotorua saying 'by jingos it's on the improve here'."

He said he knew of at least two businesses who were looking seriously at coming to Rotorua early next year.

Mr Steiner said shops relocating to new positions in the CBD was a good thing too.

Many relocations were to make a move to a better position with more foot traffic or in anticipation of other changes around the CBD, but some also provided the opportunity for stores to relocate to more affordable premises, he said.

Stirling Sports owner Dean Katipa said the move across the road was prompted by the opportunity to move into a bigger store, while still staying in the Tutanekai St area. The store moved across the road last week.

Mr Katipa said he had a "fair idea" of the areas in town he wanted to be, so jumped at the opportunity. The new store would be offering new lines.

"I'm really excited about the move. It's a slightly new format and a bit more fashion-oriented than what's been done previously."

A Pita Pit spokeswoman said Rotorua was an area the chain was interested in establishing a franchise.

Bayleys Rotorua's Mark Rendell said he'd recently sold premises on the corner of Eruera and Fenton St to someone looking at opening a new business in town. While he couldn't disclose details he said the buyer of the property (formerly Peter Reynolds Interiors) had chosen Rotorua over another location.

Similarly he was working with someone looking to establish a "restaurant-type" business who was weighing up between Rotorua and Hamilton. Another positive was movement in the office sector with offices growing and relocating to bigger sites, he said.