HELPING OUR CITY THROUGH A TOUGH WINTER
Winter is always a difficult time for our central city businesses but 2023 is shaping up as the perfect storm. Retailers, cafes, bars and restaurants are facing the nationwide recession, sharp rises in costs, increases in retail crime and acute staff shortages.
Their trade last summer was shortened by the SH6 closure. A further factor squeezing these businesses is that IRD and landlords allowed deferrals of rents and taxes through Covid but are now requiring repayment.
We have already lost businesses such as Morrisons cafe, Harbour Light Bistro, Amazon, Acquisitions and Samko. More would close if they could but have no way out of premise rentals. The risk is that we lose the critical mass for our city to thrive.
The bulk of the economic problems rest with central Government but there are things Council can and should do.
Events help bring life to our city. Te Ramaroa is literally a winter highlight. This stunning Festival of Light runs for five nights from Friday until Tuesday. Zip up your coat, grab the family and come into the city to enjoy this free, iconic event.
Council moved last week to make afternoon central city parking effectively free from 2pm (including the normal one-hour free) from 1 July until 31 October. We are investing bigtime in public transport and cycling but need to recognise that the bulk of customers come by car. There is no sense in Council having empty carparks while businesses struggle.
Uniquely Nelson is running a city promotional campaign next month covering social media, print, radio and billboards, promoting the city locally and nationally with the help of Nelson Airport and our Regional Development Agency.
Council also set aside $20,000 last week for a City Centre Winter Activation Fund for additional events and projects to bring people into the city over the winter months.
These short-term measures are about responding nimbly to challenging times. They come with the support of our new Central City Business Forum with Council, ably led by the Deputy Mayor. The next step is developing a long-term strategy with businesses to help make our city a more attractive place to shop, eat, socialise, live and invest.
