Potential for ‘market town’ in Canterbury
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
Kaiapoi has the potential to become a ‘‘market town’’, a local business leader says.
The company behind the Christchurch Night Market at Hornby Mall has applied for a resource consent to establish and operate a night market in Kaiapoi.
Now, the Kaiapoi Promotions Association (KPA) hopes to see more markets in the future.
‘‘It is great that it is kicking off, we wish them every success,’’ acting chairperson Martin Pinkham said.
‘‘We always saw Kaiapoi as a market town and the retailers need something which draws people to the town.
‘‘The Lyttelton Farmers Market is great for Lyttelton and we would like to see something like that set up in Kaiapoi.
‘‘In the United Kingdom, the markets are big in towns of similar size to Kaiapoi.’’
Pinkham said KPA had made submissions to the Waimakariri District Council’s annual plan for several years advocating for a permanent site to be found to hold markets.
‘‘We would like to have a site which is easily accessible for people and could be used during the week.’’
The Kaiapoi Town Centre Development Plan, which was adopted in 2018, proposed a village green or market site, but a permanent site had yet to be found.
The weekly Kaiapoi Farmers’ Market is held on Saturday mornings on Charles St, opposite Kaiapoi New World, but the site is far from ideal, Pinkham said.
The annual Blackwells Fire and Ice Festival is held the Kaiapoi Club car park on Raven Quay on a Saturday evening to coincide with the Kaiapoi Art Expo in July.
Enterprise North Canterbury general manager Heather Warwick said Kaiapoi was becoming ‘‘a place of opportunities’’.
Projects such as a night market and the New Zealand Motorhome and Caravan Association’s park in the former red zone were helping to grow the town as a visitor attraction, she said.
The Waimakariri District Council granted a one-year licence to Market Investment Ltd in April to run a weekly night market in the Kaiapoi park and ride car park, next to New World.
Council staff will review the licence after six months to assess its impact on Kaiapoi’s existing hospitality businesses.
A resource consent application has since been received for a night market to be held on a Saturday or Sunday evening between 5pm and 10pm.
It is anticipated there would be up to 72 stalls, including mostly food trucks and stalls and some retail.
Live music would be played during the market.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Poll: Should all neighbours have to contribute to improvements?
An Auckland court has ruled a woman doesn’t have to contribute towards the cost of fixing a driveway she shares with 10 neighbours.
When thinking about fences, driveways or tree felling, for example, do you think all neighbours should have to pay if the improvements directly benefit them?
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82.3% Yes
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15% No
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2.7% Other - I'll share below
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Live Q&A: Garden maintenance with Crewcut
This Wednesday, we are having another Neighbourly Q&A session. This time with John Bracewell from Crewcut.
John Bracewell, former Black Caps coach turned Franchisee Development Manager and currently the face of Crewcut’s #Movember campaign, knows a thing or two about keeping the grass looking sharp—whether it’s on a cricket pitch or in your backyard!
As a seasoned Crewcut franchisee, John is excited to answer your lawn and gardening questions. After years of perfecting the greens on the field, he's ready to share tips on how to knock your garden out of the park. Let's just say he’s as passionate about lush lawns as he is about a good game of cricket!
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