Whangārei CBD taskforce moves to revive city centre as more shops close

The closures follow Life Pharmacy Orrs, EB Games Whangārei and hair salon Rodney Wayne all shutting their doors in January.

Other CBD businesses that have closed and not been replaced include gift store Beautiful Things, clothing franchise Jeanswest, logistics company Pack & Send, Christian bookshop Manna and Vietnamese eatery Oh My Pho, all on Cameron St; Bank St hospitality businesses AstroBoy and Nectar Cafe; plus Trade Aid and Authentic Flavours in the Strand.

Couper said the decision to close a business did not happen overnight but came after many difficulties.

He admitted it would be challenging to turn around the CBD’s fortunes, particularly as online shopping grew.

“I think it will be possible as the community works together. This is not a council project, it’s got to be a community project.”

Whangārei’s Cameron St was a hive of activity during 2023’s International Rally of Whangārei. A taskforce has now been set up to ensure the CBD is thriving. Photo / NZME

Couper said while the council had a part to play with things like improving parking and public transport, everyone needed to make changes, including for customers to support shops.

He thought moves like the revitalisation of NorthTec and $34 million central government investment in a central Knowledge Education and Arts hub (KEA) would also help.

The taskforce set up six workstreams, each led by senior representatives with authority to drive change. They were:

Social support and community services, led by Rena Hona, Ministry of Social Development regional commissioner.Health, mental health and addiction, led by Jensen Webber, Mahitahi Hauora chief executive.Community safety, policing and regulatory, led by Northland police area commander Inspector Maria Nordstrom.Infrastructure, lighting and urban environment, led by Deputy Mayor Scott McKenzie.Housing and inner-city living, led by Toa Faneva, Ministry of Housing and Urban Development regional director.The business and hospitality sector, led by Tim Robinson from North Chamber and Julia Morrison from Hospitality NZ, both local business owners.

The leaders would meet fortnightly and were tasked with consulting with the wider community, Couper said.

EB Games Whangārei closing down in January, as part of the closure of all EB Games stores in New Zealand, attracted queues of shoppers. Photo / Karina Cooper

At the first meeting, members agreed on these desired outcomes:

a safe, welcoming CBD clear, simple pathways to support services aligned policing, bylaws and regulatory responses suitable and well-maintained infrastructure and public spaces, including lighting and connections such as John Stimproved community safety response and pathways for escalationa thriving hospitality and business sector increased inner-city living and clear housing pathways improved accessibility for everyone to enter and move around the city centreparking that supports accessibility and economic activity clear measurement and reporting so progress can be tracked and shared.

‘Customers now choose to bank digitally’

The Co-operative Bank’s Whangārei branch is closing because of changing customer preferences, with most people now banking digitally or by phone, spokeswoman Catherine Bateman said.

Affected customers would be supported, including help with digital banking, she said.

“Over the past year, fewer than 10% of Whangārei branch customers have interacted with the branch in person or by phone, as digital adoption continues to grow across all age groups.”

The Co-operative Bank will close its branch on the corner of Bank and Vine Sts. Photo / NZME

The closure of the Merric store in Whangārei on April 10 was because of tough times, said Mia Li, executive assistant to the director.

“Our Whangārei store is closing because the lease is due to expire and the prospects are not great.”

Merric Apparel had 20 other stores in New Zealand and a new store opening in Auckland’s Milford, but no other stores in Northland.

While most closed stores stay closed, one CBD business was bucking this trend by reopening.

Oasis Surf on Rathbone St was meant to close in February but reopened while its lease was being negotiated.

Owner Rachelle Vujcich said the store had Oasis stock at half price until it was cleared and stock from her Embellish stores in Paihia and Kerikeri.

The Embellish items included women’s clothing, jewellery, accessories, babywear and gifts. Embellish previously operated across the road.

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.