The Dunedin City Council has announced trial closures of the Octagon, including a full closure from January 27 to February 16 and partial closures from February 17 to March 23.
The $15,000 trial will mean cruise ship buses will not be able to park in the Octagon and will instead head to Toitu or nearby streets, infuriating some business owners.
I Love Merino owner Colin Lim said the trial would have a major impact on his business.
"I’ve already told my staff that they won’t be coming back after Christmas if this goes ahead," he said.
A large chunk of his business came from cruise ship passengers, and primarily those dropped off in the Octagon.
He said he was aware of another business that would also probably close if the trial went ahead.
Fellow Octagon business owner Linzi Irving of Seriously Twisted said businesses were "seriously stressed" about the proposal.
She had spoken to 18 business owners in the Octagon who were all concerned about the significant impact of the closure.
Craft Bar and Kitchen owner John MacDonald said his business would also be hit hard.
"Our turnover would be markedly down. It definitely does have an impact on business."
He was doubtful cruise ship passengers dropped off at Toitu would make the trip into the Octagon.
Council infrastructure services general manager Simon Drew said staff approached more than 75 businesses in and around the Octagon last week informing them of the trial closure, and while some businesses were unhappy about it, many had agreed to support it in principle.
During the full closure of the Octagon, cruise ship buses will take passengers to Toitu.
"For the remaining time of the closure, the buses will go to temporary stops in Princes St, just a short distance from the Octagon, where buses would normally stop.
"While it’s possible that some cruise ship passengers may be reluctant to walk to the Octagon during the full three-week closure, the NZ Master Games ‘hub’ will see many people congregate in the Octagon during this time, helping create a vibrant and busy public space."
Dunedin Mayor Aaron Hawkins has been a vocal supporter of pedestrianising the Octagon.
"The international evidence tells us that it’s also good for business in those areas, and these trials are about how we can get the best outcome for residents, visitors and retailers alike in the longer term," he said.
Staff were actively working with businesses most affected by the trials, and would continue to do so, he said.
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Comments
Why not close to all vehicles apart form the tourist buses as other cities do? I agree the business's here have a valid concern. Let’s do this right!
Yes, but jumping the gun by saying "I’ve already told my staff that they won’t be coming back after Christmas if this goes ahead," is putting the cart before the horse. All that does is make his staff feel insecure about their jobs, right at Xmas time. Maybe these business's need to promote themselves better to cruise ship tourists, and, maybe reconnect with the local shoppers? Personally I feel they are expensive, and targeted only at the tourists, and yes, I do still shop there. Maybe some business remodelling is required before they frighten their staff and their families at Xmas? After all, isn't being in business all about adapting to the market conditions, or do you just 'give up'?
Tell the tourists to walk or buy a bicycle!
That's pretty much what Aaron Hawkins and the rest of this loony council expect Dunedin citizens to do. Why should tourists get it any easier than those who live here every day?!
Why not have the cruise ship buses still doing drop off and pickup, plus a taxi rank, and nothing else allowed at all? That gives the benefit of reducing movements to almost zero, while allowing for the less mobile to get to the Octogon as a destination, and not having businesses killed by a drop off in trade.
The greens and DCC staff won't be happy until central Dunedin is a business free wasteland visited only by students on bikes and scooters. Dunedin ratepayers, those with money to spend, will be shopping anywhere they can park. Good news for shops in South Dunedin and Mosgiel maybe.
I wonder how many business people who go broke will stay in the great southern wasteland the greens are trying to develop? Dunedin's modest growth can and will quickly reverse.
Some of the best cities in the world have areas that can only be accessed by pedestrians without being constrained to over crowded and restrictive footpaths, and they are VERY successful. The pleasure gained by shoppers with a sense of outside space without traffic noise and fumes cannot be underestimated. This could well be an attraction for locals and tourists alike. While I agree, parking in the city really does need to be convenient and at a realistic cost. Claiming the very heart of our city for the use and pleasure of shoppers cannot be overlooked. Sometimes we're afraid of the things we know nothing or little of. Just saying....
"business" is a board term when in reality these are shops selling tourist products at inflated prices. If they are so dependant on the cruise ships then they should be based closer to the port. This city is for everyone, and these are public spaces. i have no sympathy for 500 dollar sweater sellers that offer nothing to the local economy.
More woolly thinking from the council, they don't want cars on the mainstreet and now they also don't want businesses there either.
Shops rely on foot traffic, not cars and buses. Locals walk from the Bus Hub and car parks. Cruisers walk from the fantastic railway station. Not much in it. Look forward to a lovely summer and a relaxing walk around the Octagon.