New businesses in CBD display of revitalisation

FILE

A NUMBER of new companies have set up in Rotorua's inner city, reinforcing the opinion of local business leaders that the CBD's revitalisation is gaining momentum.

Recent business openings include Honey Comb hair salon, Jiangi Print and Design, and Helium Gallery.

Rotorua district councillor Karen Hunt, the Rotorua Lakes Council inner city revitalisation portfolio lead, said there were definitely more new businesses either setting up in the city or relocating from elsewhere in Rotorua to new premises.

Ms Hunt cited the recent Telfer Young 2015 Rotorua Central Business District vacancy survey, which showed a drop in the number of vacant retail shops and in the amount of vacant retail space in square metres.

She said that when placed alongside cities of similar size that had comparable data, such as Hastings and Napier, Rotorua came out ahead.

"There is some relocation happening and we are seeing a definite downward trend in vacancies, and some relocation happening."

She also noted the recent decision by Hobbiton to set up an office in Fenton St to handle its Rotorua booking business, saying it reflected a trend towards tourism businesses colocating.

Mike Steiner, spokesman for the Inner City Focus Group, said the CBD was now a "hell of a lot further ahead" than when the group, which represents local businesses, was set up three years ago.

"We're very fortunate that we have a collaborative council that has been in constant contact with us and we have had the ability to put quite a big influence into where we are going," he said.

"There's a level of economic activity in Rotorua that we haven't see for the best part of 25 years. When you look around there have been 22 new businesses open up in Rotorua in the last three years. From the Inner City Focus Group's point of view, it's been incredibly encouraging."

"Three years ago, Rotorua was rather tired and in the CBD we've certainly changed attitudes and lifted the profile extensively. We've got more people on the street, we've got more economic activity. We're roaring to go. We feel very confident that with the completion of plans we've got for lifting the profile of our inner city, we will see even more businesses attracted to it."

Darrin Walsh, chief executive of the Rotorua Chamber of Commerce, said business confidence in the local economy was tracking well.

"It's on a high. We are certainly seeing business optimism and more new businesses opening. We're seeing business looking inwardly at themselves and investing in growing and employing people."