A rectangle of astroturf spanning three car parks is causing controversy among store owners in downtown Rotorua.
The turf and plants which appeared on Tutanekai St last Saturday are part of Artisan Cafe and Rotorua Lakes Council's six-month trial of the city's first "parklet".
In a statement, a council spokeswoman said a parklet was a "temporary sidewalk extension that typically utilises parking spaces".
She said the cafe approached the council and there was support from neighbouring businesses to trial the concept, which will provide space for extra seating, until April.
However not all neighbouring businesses spoken to by the Rotorua Daily Post were happy.
Mrs Thompson said the loss of three car parks didn't worry her personally.
"If people don't like it, we won't increase the term, but we have had really positive feedback so far."
Mrs Thompson said there was still a lot of parking within a five-minute walk of the cafe.
However nextdoor neighbours Goldiluck Bake Shop are less than thrilled with the concept.
Owner Renneth Sok said she had no idea the outdoor space was coming.
"I'm not happy at all, it's not good for our business. A lot of customers come in and complain about it."
Tutanekai St cafe's expanded seating area. Photo/Stephen Parker
Mrs Sok said the main complaint was the loss of car parks outside the bakery.
"Restaurants are fine, they open late. But it's not easy for us, we open early and close at about 3pm - the car parks are full with cars of people who are at work."
Dianne Dairy & Deli owner Sukh Jit said the council had not informed them about the change.
"We don't want it, our customers are five-minute customers, they don't want to park far away."
The council spokeswoman said if the parklet proved a success, it would potentially replicate the concept in other parts of the inner city.
"The overall criteria would be contribution to the atmosphere in the CBD, balanced with safety and parking needs."
Council District Revitalisation portfolio lead, councillor Karen Hunt, said while this would be Rotorua's first parklet, they were common around the world.
"Parklets are an inexpensive way to provide temporary additional space for people to socialise in.
"We've already had requests from other businesses for more parklets.
"This adds to the vibrancy of our inner city, providing another way for people to enjoy outdoor dining and enjoy people watching.
"It turns a street into a social area and creates a real sense of buzz.
"I won't be surprised if we get more requests and I'm looking forward to this wonderful addition to our inner city.
"The parklet concept is consistent with the work we're doing to revitalise the inner city and its very temporary nature allows us to be flexible and innovative. We're responding to both businesses and consumers."
Across the road El Mexicano Zapata owner Eduardo Diaz opened on Tutanekai St because he knew it was "the place to be".
