Hamilton Hairdressers, The Engine Room meet with Hamilton Central over CBD concerns

 

In response to a recent article that featured on mediapa.co.nz, Hamilton Central General Manager Sandy Turner met with local business owner Kaleb Phillipe of Hamilton hairdressers The Engine Room.

Hamilton Central, which is made up of business and property owners in the CBD,  has the goal of attracting customers into the CBD for retail, hospitality and general service businesses.  “Our mission is to ensure Hamilton's city centre is a thriving business area, well recognised for the high quality retail and hospitality experience we offer,” says Sandy Turner.

The recent article highlighted the concerns over the current state of the CBD.

Despite what naysayers might tell you, people are continue to spend money in the CBD, according to Sandy Turner. “The fact is that Centre Place has a higher dollar spend than Te Rapa’s The Base,” says Sandy.

“There is always two sides to the story,” says Kaleb Phillipe who is the co-owner of the popular and eco-friendly Hamilton hairdressing  salon, The Engine Room.

“We might not have thousands of people walking around window shopping, like at The Base, but we do have people that will actually spend money,” says Kaleb.

The issue of CBD parking was raised during the meeting. “If you have high quality products and services, people will go to your store no matter what the parking situation is. Just look at the Coffee and Food Establishment, or Momento on Hood Street. It’s not always easy to get a park there, but those two café’s are always full,” says Sandy.

“We have done a lot of research nationally into a parking solution. There are many parties that have stakes in the parking issue, so it is going to be hard to make everyone happy. But we are looking for a solution that will please most people,” says Sandy.

“It is an interesting challenge for everyone involved,” says Phillip Quay of MediaPa, who has worked with many local businesses in the CBD.

All parties agreed that inner city apartments will be a great way to bring people and sales into the CBD and indications are that these could soon be developed in the old Farmers’ Building in Alexandra Street.

Hamilton's city centre is still a thriving business area, but improvements are still needed.

Contact The Engine Room:

85 Alexandra Street, Hamilton 3204

07-839 5000

theengineroom1984.com

www.facebook.com/THEENGINEROOMHAIR
Contact MediaPA:

Phone: 0274 587 724

Email: phillip@mediapa.co.nz

Website: www.mediapa.co.nz

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