New Masterton mall gives town facelift

A new retail development in Masterton is almost complete, amid a shopping reshuffle on Queen St involving several moves, newcomers and renovations.

Masterton property developer Florus Bosch said five of the six stores in the new $1.5 million Sun Court, opposite Regent 3 cinema, would be up and running in the coming weeks.

T&T; Childrenswear has opened a new store in the complex and Toyworld has opened next door, moving from its previous location at 395 Queen St.

It is understood Public Trust will be moving from its Chapel St spot to take up one of the new spaces. Specsavers is also expected to open a new store.

Details of a planned new restaurant have not been confirmed, while a sixth 420sq m space is still available for lease.

Across the road at Mastermall, Mr Bosch confirmed renovations were under way. Vodafone has nearly doubled its store size and Trev's Sport will shift to the front of the mall.

Mr Bosch said the changes would create about 550sq m of office space for lease behind Trev's Sport.

He said the Mastermall renovations had evolved in response to the market.

"We're trying to give that mall a new lease on life and it's sensible, the way the retail market is going."

Property manager Gary Stewart said there was a big demand for Queen St frontage.

"It's a very strong area, there are national companies coming in. That block's got major appeal."

Trev's Sport owner-operator Quentin Henderson said he was hoping to be in the new store before Christmas. "We've been trying to move for quite a while now, to get a better store and more foot traffic."

In other changes on Queen St, both Vault and Angels and Demons have shifted a few doors down, leaving both stores vacant.

The building which replaced the earthquake-prone Elliott's Building is up, with Trade Aid moving in just over a week ago.