A lack of cobblers in Whanganui means people are taking shoes to Palmerston North for repair.
A lack of cobblers in Whanganui means people are taking shoes to Palmerston North for repair.
Candlestick makers need not apply but if you're a cobbler, engraver or baker, Whanganui has got a job for you.
That's according to Whanganui District councillor Helen Craig, who chairs the town centre regeneration project.
Craig says there are opportunities for new businesses in the central city or for existing businesses to add to their services and she has identified a gap in the market for a cobbler, "quality engraver for trophies" and a speciality bread shop.
"I'm aware that a shoe repair business closed down recently and now if I want to get my shoes fixed I have to go to Palmerston North which I never like to do."
Craig had spoken to other women who wore "gorgeous shoes" and were frustrated that there was no local repair shop.
Craig said she had been told a local secondary school was sending its trophies by courier to Palmerston North for engraving.
There could be an opportunity for an engraving business in Whanganui.
"There's obviously a job to be done that's not being fulfilled in Whanganui," Craig said.
"The cobbler and engraver could be one business. It doesn't have to be a new business, it could be an add-on. Or maybe someone is doing it here but it's not well known.
"The Town Centre Regeneration Strategy identifies a number of businesses that weren't in Whanganui that were in similar sized towns - businesses like Bakers Delight.
"We don't have, as such, a bread shop in the CBD you can go to seven days a week to pick up a specialty loaf of bread or a bun."
Sourbros owners John Wilson (left) and Matt Ellingham are two of the existing specialty bakers in Whanganui.
The strategy lists "missing retailers" that should be targeted. They include town centre retail chains Glassons, Max, Caroline Eve, Hannahs, Living & Giving, Principles, Rodd & Gunn, The Body Shop, JB HiFi, Athletes Foot, K-Mart and Bakers Delight. Whanganui was also lacking Spotlight/Lincraft and other homewares stores typically located just outside the CBD.
Attracting an IKEA store to Whanganui would bring people from Palmerston North and surrounding areas to Whanganui, the strategy says.
"The strategy talks about leakage to Palmy," Craig said.
"People go to Palmy for things we don't have. While they're there, they also go to shops we might have but they're doing all their shopping at once."
Craig acknowledged that the cost of establishing franchises was very high.
She had talked to Whanganui & Partners about attracting new businesses and advertising in Auckland and Wellington. She also hoped local people would encourage businesses to come to Whanganui.
