Intersection pulls most foot traffic, survey confirms

THRIVING: What is the busiest part of Queen St for shoppers?PHOTO/FILE

A survey of Masterton shoppers conducted this month and the corresponding time two years ago has confirmed the Bannister/Queen St intersection by Hannahs is the busiest for pedestrian traffic.

The survey, sampling foot traffic on a Wednesday morning, Wednesday afternoon and Saturday morning over half-hour periods, showed the frontage of Hannahs had an average of 142 shoppers.

It was the busiest location in the 2013 survey.

Milady was second with 104 pedestrians, and third was Dick Smith with 92.

Numbers on Saturday morning were lower than during the Wednesday morning and afternoon surveys in almost all locations.

The survey was undertaken by Wairarapa Property Consultants, LJ Hookers and Property Brokers.

Registered valuer Dan Lovett, of Wairarapa Property Consultants, said they defined "pedestrian" as adults over 15, as potential shoppers.

They excluded people going about service duties, such as police, construction and delivery workers.

The firms undertake the surveys to gauge shopping patterns for retail sites.

He said Saturday numbers should have been better, but it was easily possible weather was a factor.

"Wellington shopping, Palmerston North shopping and online shopping may have contributed to some vacancies."

Mr Lovett said feedback from clients on Queen St was that the move of the Masterton Chief Post Office on Queen St and Lincoln Rd "many years ago" had started to change the pedestrian traffic in Masterton.

"Years later the move of Mitre 10 out of Queen St had a major impact on the north end of town.

"Development of Kathmandu and others at roughly the same time helped the southern end of Queen St."

The area of Queen St, between Perry and Jackson, was "quite well taken up" with shops.