'Eat Street' centrepiece in downtown upgrade

Wharf St is set to be closed off to traffic to create a dining precinct. Photo / John Borren

Tauranga downtown's Wharf St retailers have backed an "eat street" rebranding to turn the area into a pedestrian-friendly dining precinct.

The future of Wharf St's bottom block was outlined to Tauranga City councillors yesterday by Mainstreet Tauranga spokeswoman Sally Cooke.

Retailing in Wharf St had changed over time until now all but three outlets were eateries.

Ms Cooke said Mainstreet wanted to close the street for key events like the Jazz Festival. The plan could ultimately see Wharf St closed to traffic or become one-way.

Mainstreet chairman Glenn Tuck said afterwards that the layout was still being developed and would be rolled out in several stages. "In essence the dual-use option allows us to ensure we can create a unique dining precinct."

He said the project signalled Mainstreet's pro-active approach to developing key areas of the city centre for public enjoyment. "Wharf St is the natural environment for this dining precinct."

My Choice Indian Bistro and Bar owner Sunil Kumer said the "eat street" rebranding was an excellent idea. "I think it is a very good idea for the centre, I was one of the first to suggest it."

Mainstreet hoped to start trialling the format in the next few weeks, allowing modifications before a more permanent option was agreed. Full closure of the street to traffic would depend on how the changes worked. The "eat street" rebranding was part of a package of new promotional initiatives under way by Mainstreet that included an art precinct around Wharf St and Willow St and a "fashion destination" theme for Devonport Rd, Red Square and Grey St.

Promoting the downtown as the home of iconic and unique fashion brands has seen the development of fashion-themed street flags and fashion "hot spot" footpath decals. The flags and decals were being funded by participating businesses and were to be installed this month.

In other announcements, Ms Cooke said Mainstreet wanted to see the Christmas Parade become a flagship event for the city centre. A special committee has been set up to plan for this year's parade that hopes to build on the 70 floats and 10,000 people who lined the streets for the inaugural parade. The downtown would also be given added vibrancy using the talents of Bay of Plenty graphic design, art and music students. They would transform empty shops into "pop-up exhibition spaces".

Mainstreet was funded by downtown businesses through a special rate levied by council.

The concept could mirror a similar situation in Rotorua, where a section of Tutanekai St was blocked off to traffic, creating a popular dining precinct called "Eat Streat".