PHOTO/FILE. NB: The stores in this photo do not relate to the story
Te Puke retailers vented their disappointment that nothing much had been done recently to promote the town as a shopping destination.
Several shop owners attended a meeting called last week by Te Puke Economic Development Group managing director Mark Boyle, who explained his altered role in promoting the area.
The recently named Citizen of the Year, business stalwart Shirley McGregor, from Te Puke Hotel and Molly's, opened the debate with an impassioned plea.
"It has long been a concern that promotional activity in Te Puke, through its paid facilitators, has been found wanting," Mrs McGregor said.
"I was part of the inaugural Te Puke Promotions Association, a group of volunteers who were joined together by their passion for a town and the desire to promote it, within its boundaries and beyond.
"We set about gaining a title for the town as "Kiwifruit capital of the world" and built relationships with sister cities in Australia and America.
"We ran many events and also held an annual kiwifruit festival with coincided with the main part of the kiwifruit season.
"But times change and eventually a main street co-ordinator was employed and the group was then called Te Puke Focus committee.
"Unfortunately this group was wound up and its funding was channelled to a newly formed group Te Puke Economic Development Group.
"It appears that since this happened, we have lost the emphasis on town promotional activity.
"We no longer have a festival or market days and even the annual float parade has reverted back to the good old days of a voluntary group co-ordinating it."
Mrs McGregor lamented the missed opportunities recently when local businesses didn't capitalise on structured events.
"Te Puke Sports and Recreation Club's centenary with more than 500 people registered, many of whom hadn't been in Te Puke for many years.
"The recent BooBops champagne breakfast hosted 270 people, many from out of town.
"The amazing efforts of the Maketu sisters, Kasey and Karena Bird who won the Master Chef duo competition.
"These three events, you'd think, would be putty in any promotion co-ordinator's hands. The only promotional activities I saw around these events were conducted by the organisations themselves - all volunteers.
"There appears to be little atmosphere or excitement within the town, which surely can't be inviting for shoppers who have a choice of where they prefer to spend their money.
Some shopkeepers run their own promotions, Mrs McGregor said, but the problem is "the town is lacking the buzz it needs" to encourage shoppers to explore the town or to return again.
"Business people are busy running their businesses and that was why a payment of a town co-ordinator was initially developed - a person dedicated to promoting our town and its CBD along with encouraging the cohesion of all business owners. A person . . . who can see the bigger picture which will in turn benefit the whole town and its community.
"We are soon to be faced with interesting challenges with the opening of the bypass (the Tauranga Eastern Link).
"Promoting the town is no different to running a business - you need to be personable, consistent, passionate, accessible and, in this case, transparent.
"It is encouraging the Te Puke EDG has called tonight's meeting to outline what they do and plan to do until July 30, next year. The economic development of our area is integral to our existence but so too is the promotional activity within our town."
Mr Boyle said that only four retailers belonged to TP EDG. He challenged the retailers to form their own group which he was happy to assist. Te Puke Florist's Murray Howell said a follow-up meeting was planned for tonight.
"Te Puke retailers have to start talking to one another again. We've all been so busy we've forgotten about socialising and discussing aspects of our work with each other."