Eat Streat all ready to serve up its treats

LOOKING GOOD: Eat Streat, which opened to customers yesterday, cost $2 million and has geothermal underfloor heating, retractable awnings and special LED lighting. PHOTO/BEN FRASER 201213BF12

Eat Streat is open for business and Rotorua residents flocked to the new al fresco dining area yesterday to get a taste of things to come.

The project, which has been four years in the making, is not yet complete, with an official opening on the cards for February or March.

Work on the $2 million project began mid-August.

When it is finished, it will include geothermal underfloor heating, retractable awnings, special LED lighting and a central wooden boardwalk.

Enjoying the atmosphere there yesterday was Malakai Waqanimaravu, who said the structure did look different.

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"But I think people will really enjoy it.

"Hopefully, it's really good for the business people in the busy season. I'm sure it will bring people in."

Jo Garrett of Scotty's Bar on Eat Streat, said she loved it and was excited after being "caged in" since August.

"I'm really buzzed about it. The atmosphere feels alive already," she said.

Rotorua District Council inner city enterprises manager Nick Dallimore said there were a lot of merry people down there yesterday.

"It's great. Four years in the waiting and it's ready to go," he said.

Image 1 of 15: Eat Streat redevelopment. PHOTO: Stephen Parker