New World Metro to open on Valentine's Day

Countdown Victoria St. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Valentine's Day will mark the opening of Auckland central business district's second big new supermarket.

Foodstuffs Auckland has invited city officials to next month's opening of the New World Metro Queen St opposite the intersection with Shortland St.

Mayor Len Brown is due to officiate when the store of just over 1000sq m opens on February 14.

Tony Catton, Foodstuffs (Auckland) acting general manager for property strategy, said the smaller-format store below the BNZ Centre at 125 Queen St had limited space so fresh produce would be a dominant feature.

Progressive Enterprises this month opened its new 2200sq m Countdown on Victoria St West beside Brookfields House, half a block from Queen St and at the end of Elliott St.

Auckland Council will soon begin work on its central city masterplan and its first job could be creating a park-like space or green carpet on Victoria St to link it to Albert Park. The council will also create a pedestrian crossing at the end of Elliott St because the new Countdown is so popular.