Mall floor cause of closure

Michael Hill Jewellers in Merivale Mall is one of the shops forced to close until further notice. Photo / NZPA

Christchurch's Merivale Mall has been partly closed since the weekend after engineers did a structural integrity review.

Owner Tower Property Fund explained yesterday how that decision was made because of concerns about a suspended concrete floor in one of the central buildings of the mall.

That floor was found to be too weak if a big earthquake struck the property, according to Tower Investments chief executive Sam Stubbs.

Options are being prepared by engineers and contractors and the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority is being kept informed, Tower said.

Businesses shut till further notice are BB's Cafe, Bella Silver, Dyrberg Kern kiosk, Fascino, Fresh Choice, Gavichis, Health 2000, Kip McGrath, Michael Hill, Moda Bella, Quinns, Sergios, Storm, Sushi World, The Homestore, V for Hair, V for Hair kiosk, VJ Barbers and Witchery.

The unaffected part of Merivale Mall remains open for trading.

Tower said it was not known how long the partial closure would continue.

"It's unfortunate that a partial closure of Merivale Mall has had to occur and we understand how disruptive this is for retailers and shoppers," Stubbs said. The safety of Merivale Mall's tenants and their customers was the top priority and Tower was acting on professional advice.