Opinion: Hooray for Kmart

PHOTO/STEPHEN PARKER

Finally it's official. We can reveal today that Kmart is coming to Rotorua.

For some of you, the news may be met with a shrug of the shoulders - just another store. But from the feedback we have received over the past few years we reckon thousands of Rotorua people are going to be excited by the news.

At the end of 2014 we asked our Facebook readers what they would most like to see happen in Rotorua in 2015. Having a Kmart in town ranked right up there with more jobs, growing the local economy and being number one in the country for tourism!

In fact, it's become somewhat of a running joke in the newsroom, as every time we post news of a business coming to town or reveal what's happening at a site under development, it takes seconds before people say 'wish it was Kmart'. Finally, their prayers have been answered.

Unfortunately they will have to be patient a while longer, with the doors not due to open until 2018.

Aside from being good news for shoppers, the $20 million being invested into Trade Central is another positive sign for the city.

With its Rotorua Central full, Pukeroa Oruawhata Trust has turned its attention to the Amohau St shopping site.

With Kmart signed up, the trust is confident it will have no trouble filling the other 13 new stores with tenants, some of them being new to town.

That brings jobs, vitality and a ripple effect of business confidence.

There have been concerns in the past about malls on the edges of town detracting from the CBD. Personally, I don't see the problem.

Most of the businesses that are going to these developments would not have been suitable for the CBD. For them it was unlikely to have been a choice between going to the CBD or a mall a few kilometres away - it was a choice between going to Rotorua or not.

National retailer Max is due to open in the heart of the CBD soon, while NZSale has also been attracted to the inner city.

As more businesses set up shop in Rotorua, more will be attracted. So hooray for Kmart, and not just for the shopping opportunities.

On the topic of business success, the best of luck to all the finalists in tonight's Westpac Rotorua Business Awards.

A wide range of businesses are represented, all of whom can feel proud of making it to the finals. I am looking forward to hearing of their achievements and finding out who has most impressed the judges when I dust off a sparkly frock tonight.

You can take a look at our website tomorrow morning, or like Rotorua Daily Post on Facebook, to find out who scoops the silverware. We'll also have full coverage in Monday's paper.