Customers favouring online shopping was the main reason for the pharmacy’s decline, he said.
“Prescriptions and medicines – along with the retail market for cosmetics, fragrance, skincare, gifts and sunglasses – has changed substantially, including a shift of retail sales to online shopping.”
Foot traffic in Whangārei CBD has also dropped as offices move out of the downtown area and into surrounding suburbs, taking some of the vibrancy out of the central city, Lornie said.
On top of this, behaviour in the CBD has deteriorated, with groups sometimes gathering and intimidating the public.
“The CBD needs support when challenging behaviours occur – a multi-agency response is required.”
There is a lack of vibrancy in the CBD and behaviour that puts people off, says pharmacist Dave Lornie. Photo / Denise Piper
Parking and the lack of free car parking is another bugbear, impacting visitors’ easy access to the CBD, Lornie said.
In recent consultation run by Whangārei District Council, the pharmacy supported two hours of free parking and affordable full-day parking for workers. The council is yet to decide on a new parking management strategy.
Lornie said while Chemist Warehouse is another new pharmacy in Whangārei CBD, with a less hands-on model, its retail products are very different from the pharmacy.
“It is the change in the prestige cosmetic and fragrance market that has most impacted Life Pharmacy Orrs.”
The pharmacy explored a number of options to stay open, including considering downsizing, but was unable to find the right-sized store, Lornie said.
Life Pharmacy Orrs is preparing to shut, with its dispensary closing on December 24 and the shop closing on January 31. Photo / Denise Piper
Other Orrs pharmacies will remain open to serve their communities, he said, including Maungaturoto, Ruawai, Dargaville, Kaikohe, Maunu and Rust Ave.
“As long as patients and customers value personalised care and service, community pharmacy will remain relevant.”
Some of the pharmacy’s 13 staff, including Lornie, will relocate to other pharmacies but the cosmetic salespeople will be made redundant, he said.
Ken Orr said the change to the way people buy their cosmetics was not only hurting Life Pharmacy Orrs but also other Life pharmacies, as well as stores like Ballantynes in Christchurch and the now-closed Smith & Caughey’s in Auckland .
CBD safety and economy top of agenda for new council
Whangārei Mayor Ken Couper says a new taskforce will aim to address concerns about the city centre’s safety and viability. Photo / Supplied
Whangārei Mayor Ken Couper said there was a long-standing need to make the city centre safer.
“I definitely think that there is an element in the CBD that makes people feel uncomfortable – rightly or wrongly,” he said.
“It’s a really complex problem and it comes down to funding for appropriate Government agencies, policing, lighting and the facilities around helping homeless people.”
One of Couper’s first moves as new mayor was to set up a committee called the Mayoral Taskforce for City Centre Revitalisation, which will help support economic revitalisation of the CBD, and make it a social and safe place.
The committee includes Couper and councillors Scott McKenzie, Crichton Christie, Brad Flower and Marie Olsen.
But he said the council cannot do this work on its own and will need support of business owners, NorthChamber, police and central government, especially Kāinga Ora.
“It’s difficult when central government has asked council to get back to its core activities but the community has asked us for help. Central government has to be involved too.”
Denise Piper is a news reporter for the Northern Advocate, focusing on health and business. She has more than 20 years in journalism and is passionate about covering stories that make a difference.