Sorry to say we told you so ....
When the Hastings District Council and the Heretaunga St retailers agreed to a large format retail area in Nelson Park it was obvious that this would split the shopping sector in Hastings into two separate parts.
It was only a matter of time before the Australian-owned company who now own the new large format area off Karamu Rd, would want smaller shops, especially in an economic downturn.
This company has enough financial clout to continue legal proceedings, claiming restraint of trade, so that small shops will become part of the area.
There were many people at the time of the discussion of the sale of Nelson Park that foresaw this would happen; they are now in a very strong position to say we told you so!
If people cannot foresee a decline in the main retail area when some new area is suggested - what hope have we of estimating the ecological disasters which may happen in the future?Joyce Patonsecretary, Citizens WatchCorps a creditRecently, I was privileged to attend the Annual Prizegiving at my old No11 Squadron Air Training Corps, Hastings, where over 50 young men and women cadets, together with their parents and friends, were able to see what these people had achieved throughout the year.
