It’s exciting news for Nelson that Connings has committed to building a new Food Market, similar to their Appleby complex, in the central city on the high-profile entrance to Wakatu carpark off Rutherford St.
The deal signed last week has Council sell 69-101 Achilles Ave, formally Four Seasons and Community Art Works, to Connings at fair market value. The new complex will include a large retail food market, commercial kitchen, and café.
Council agreed to a trial Connings pop-up store by leasing the back building two years ago. It has proved successful and given Connings the confidence to invest in the new multi-million complex. The temporary store will remain in operation while the turquoise building on the Rutherford St frontage is demolished and the new complex built. The current store will then be demolished to provide additional parking.
Attracting investment like Connings is part of Council’s ambition to revitalise the central city and follows the deals with Safari for the new 54 apartments and 54 room hotel in Bridge St. We have also helped facilitate the significant redevelopment of Morrison Square including making Morrison St one-way.
I am particularly enthusiastic about the Connings Food Market for its wider benefits. On a high-profile central city site, it showcases the region as a centre of excellence in fresh produce and food innovation. It gives consumers more choice at a time when family budgets are under pressure. It increases competition when there is heightened concern over the supermarket duopoly.
I also love the back story of the Connings family that I have known since my time as Tasman’s MP. Robbie and Cheryl started growing vegetables on the Waimea Plains when Simon, Toby and Ben were just kids. They are a salt of the earth farming family whose combination of hard work, passion and innovation has created an iconic regional business. It felt a long shot when I first talked to them three years ago about replicating their Appleby Food Market in the city, and am delighted they now have the confidence to invest.
I look forward to Connings redevelopment of this high-profile site and the opening scheduled in 2029.
