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.
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Tracy Watkins has weighed in ... now it’s your turn. What’s your take? 🤔
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72.8% We work hard, we deserve a break!
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16.1% Hmm, maybe?
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11.2% Yes!
Poll: Pedestrian access is being extended to the Ōtakaro Avon River - good idea?
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90% Yes
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10% No
Secure your homes over summer
Police are reminding people to keep their homes secure during the summer months.
Inspector Glenda Barnaby, Christchurch Area Prevention manager, says daytime burglaries are just as common as nightime burglaries.
“Burglaries can be committed at any time of the day, and coming into warmer months there is more opportunity for thieves."
"Although a majority of burglaries involve forced entry through windows and doors, we are starting to see more incidents at insecure premises. Police deal with cases where burglaries are committed in broad daylight, sometimes even while the victim is at home. Good weather means open doors and windows, which makes homes more vulnerable to burglars.”
Inspector Barnaby says there’s a few things people can do to reduce their changes of a burglary being committed.
⚠️ If you’re going outside for gardening, relaxing in the sun, or working in the garage, take a moment to lock your doors and secure your windows first.
⚠️ Do the same at night when you go to bed - keep your doors and windows secure and close your curtains. Fitting window stays means you can get a breeze coming through, while keeping your windows secure.
⚠️ Get to know your neighbours - let them know if you’re going away and look out for one another.”
If you see any suspicious activity, people or vehicles in your neighbourhood, don't hesitate to contact Police.
If you witness or suspect any illegal activity, please call 111 if it is happening now, or make a report through 105 either online or over the phone, if it is after the fact.
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