13 days ago

Supermarket plans remain on the shelf

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

By local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:

Plans for another supermarket in Ashburton remain shelved after more than 10 years.

Foodstuffs purchased the property at 407 West St/State Highway 1 in October 2012 and planned to develop the site into a Pak’nSave.

When the Ashburton District Council consulted on plan change 4 in 2020, which aimed to strengthen the role of the CBD as the primary commercial, retail, recreation, cultural and entertainment centre for the district, Foodstuffs submitted, citing it would impact its plans to establish the supermarket outside the CBD boundary.

Plan change 4 became operative in July 2021, with the West St site zoned business C which ‘provides for limited commercial activities, service and community activities, as well as a range of light industrial activities’.

A provision was included to allow for the supermarket on the specific site.

Three years later there is still no indication when the plans will progress.

A Foodstuffs spokesperson said the company “don’t have any updates to share about the site at this stage”.

The closest alternative Pak’nSave stores are Hornby (Christchurch), and Timaru, with a new store under construction in Rolleston.

The West St site was the former historic Canterbury Flour Mill that was the scene of a major fire in February 2011.

The building, built in 1872, was gutted by the fire.

As well as the two Woolworths and a New World the town has some smaller grocery stores such as SuperValue in Tinwald, and Four Square Netherby, while The Warehouse has recently added produce to its supermarket offerings.

While Foodstuff’s plans for Pak’nSave in Ashburton remain shelved, Savemore has announced it is set to open a new grocery clearance store in the town in May.

The store will be in the Ashburton Central retail centre off Tancred St.

Savemore is New Zealand-owned and operated and offers ‘clearance groceries at bargain prices’.

It opened two stores in Christchurch in the last six months, with Ashburton being its third location.

More messages from your neighbours
2 hours ago

Moving clear out !

Samineh from Birkenhead

Hello community. I'm moving house and have a lot of stuff to clear out. The move has cost a lot so unfortunately can't give away free right now. I usually do donations to shops.
But these things are all excellent condition, some not even used, and good quality brands.

Women's Clothes size small or xs .

Girls clothes sizes 5-7

boys clothes infant and 1.

But I need them gone fast so if you want a good deal for nice clothing from good shops like seed , Zara and so on, also there's lots of kids toys and activities.

please drop a comment in this thread if you're interested and I'll dm you and you can come view.

In Birkenhead
Thank you 😊

5 hours ago

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4 days ago

Poll: Would you want an unconventional funeral?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

Funerals can cost as much as $22,000 and the planning can be stressful especially at a time when loved ones are grieving. Some New Zealanders are re-imagining funerals by making their own coffin or having a relaxed ceremony at home. Would you want a less traditional funeral? Share your thoughts below.

Type 'Not For Print' if you wish your comments to be excluded from the Conversations column of your local paper.

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Would you want an unconventional funeral?
  • 83.8% Yes
    83.8% Complete
  • 14% No
    14% Complete
  • 2.1% Other - I'll share below!
    2.1% Complete
1737 votes