Market moves to lure more shoppers

Hopes are high for the struggling Saturday morning Hastings City Growers' Market in its new home. Photo / Supplied

Hastings City Growers' Market has moved to the central Mall of the CBD.

The Saturday market launched in November in Heretaunga St East but struggled to gain traction. The street market's hours were 7am to 10.30am but they were not popular with Saturday shoppers and changed to the current 8am to 12pm.

Hastings City Business Association manager Susan McDade said surrounding retailers asked for the later hours because it attracted more people to their shops. The largest volume of foot traffic occurred after 10am, forcing market vendors to turn away customers in time for the road to be reopened.

With shoppers and stallholders sporadic the decision was made to move to the Mall, in sight of both Heretaunga St East and West, with the added attraction of no street closure.

Mrs McDade said part of the market's objective was to encourage families and friends to come into the CBD on Saturdays to shop and socialise "as a regular routine".

"The first Growers' Market in its new home was a real success - the leafy boulevards, fountain and grassy areas add a relaxing ambience to a lively town centre market," she said. "There was a lovely atmosphere for shoppers to enjoy and we are excited about how it will develop."

The 13 stallholders on Saturday ranged from small growers with a single seasonal product to larger farmers with greater variety.

Interested vendors should visit hastingscitymarkets.co.nz.