Christchurch firms whose livelihoods have been wrecked by February's deadly quake may find themselves a temporary home in Wanganui.
Local engineering consultants BPL Group assisted in an extensive strengthening process to comply with modern building codes for the Taupo Quay building on the riverfront (adjoining the City Bridge).
It potentially offers arcade-designed
retail space to Christchurch business people keen to get back on their feet in a hurry.
This overture to Christchurch entrepreneurs would be providing them with a "transitional" opportunity to do business in Wanganui while rebuilding in Christchurch gathered steam, and they could then decide their future.
Local business will be also lobbied to support the arcade, to be known as Taylor's Landing, a throwback to Wanganui's pioneering heritage.
An early missionary, the Rev Richard Taylor, led one of the first landing parties of white men on the shores of the Whanganui River.
Marketing is the key to developing Taylor's Landing. To that end, a website is being developed by local website design company, Webquest. The development has the potential to showcase opportunities in Wanganui.
The Caffeinator and other tenants in the building include Webquest and WanganuiOnline.com. Interested parties are invited to drop in at any time to view the space. The arcade's link to the river is a great selling point and the Caffeinator's patrons often choose to relax on the riverfront.
For those with a fertile memory, the building once housed the Martin and Vernon bus company, which operated in the central North Island. Then it became a distribution warehouse and in later years a fruit and vege market, which subsequently relocated further along Taupo Quay near the River Traders' Market.
Earthquake-proofing makes it a special opportunity for prospective tenants in terms of location and undercover shopping.
Connecting Taupo Quay to the waterfront gives it a unique presence.
