PHOTO: Queen Street, Auckland. Auckland’s city centre business association
Several shopping arcades in Auckland CBD resemble desolate wastelands, with one vacant shop after another. The business association Heart of the City acknowledged a slight improvement, but the numbers revealed only four fewer vacancies in the six months leading up to June compared to the preceding six months.
While Retail in Commercial Bay, near the waterfront, experienced a boom with high foot traffic and premium shops, areas further up Queen Street displayed a different story. Some sections were eerily empty, adorned with ‘for lease’ signs as if they were part of the street’s decor. Notably, the renowned Strand Arcade was nearly barren, housing only a couple of hairdressers and a beauty salon. Shops that did manage to stock up were now operating on an appointment basis.
Much of the Strand Arcade building is vacant. Photo: RNZ / Emma Stanford
Matthew Brown, a property manager, attributed a surge in vacancies to building compliance issues five years ago. He mentioned that these issues have now been addressed, and ongoing investments aim to restore The Strand to its former glory. To support existing retailers, temporary pop-ups, activations, and window installations have been implemented through collaboration with Auckland Council and Heart of the City.
Colliers’ statistics indicated 172 vacant shops in the CBD in the six months to June, a marginal improvement from December 2022. However, over 50 of these vacancies were concentrated in the arcades off Queen Street, contrasting sharply with the 33 empty shops recorded in December 2019.
Retail NZ’s chief executive, Carolyn Young, highlighted the domino effect of empty shops, where retailers in these areas look for spaces with greater foot traffic, leading to a decline in the overall attractiveness of the deserted areas.
Viv Beck, the chief executive of Heart of the City, expressed optimism about the future, citing opportunities arising from investments like the City Rail Link. She noted a demand exceeding supply in the lower end of Queen Street, while acknowledging challenges in the midtown area due to ongoing construction.
Carolyn Young emphasized the need for landlords to invest in upgrading spaces to meet contemporary consumer standards, creating an inviting environment for shoppers. She stressed the importance of revamping entrances and storefronts to entice both retailers and consumers.
The owner of Moona Store in the Mid City Arcade suggested hosting more events, such as fairs and markets, to attract shoppers, especially considering the challenges posed by traffic and parking.
Viv Beck echoed the sentiment that the midtown area is a work in progress, emphasizing the significance of the arcades as a unique part of Queen Street. She expressed a commitment to supporting these areas through challenging times, focusing on making them integral to the central city’s future.
SOURCE: RNZ