A recent survey shows a drastic divide between Wānaka business owners on their support for McDonald’s, but a majority agreed they do not think it will affect their business.
The Wānaka Business Chamber began conducting a survey about two weeks ago to get better insight into how local business owners feel about the plans for a 445sq m restaurant near the town’s entrance.
Almost a week after the commissioning panel released their decision to decline the restaurant’s resource consent in the Mt Iron location, the results of the survey were released showing division among the town’s business community.
Chamber general manager Glen Peat commented a few weeks ago about the purpose of the anonymous survey, saying it was a way to better represent the business community’s perspectives on a topical issue.
"We wanted to engage more with our members ... this is a topical issue and there is emotion out there," he said.
When asked whether they support having a McDonald’s in Wānaka, 47% answered yes, 38% answered no and 15% were unsure.
Many of those who did not support the restaurant or were neutral about it felt that it would be much better off in a different location.
Many of the survey submissions had anonymous comments suggesting that if McDonald’s was in the Three Parks development, they would not have much of an issue with it.
"I am in general OK with a Macca’s. My preference is for it to be in Three Parks — less visual impact" wrote one business owner.
Opinions were even more split when owners were asked what they believed would be the "primary impact" of the restaurant on the local economy.
The results said 36% believed it would have a negative effect, 32% said it would be positive and the remaining 32% were neutral.
Some felt that a large international corporation should not be given priority, especially in such a prominent local location.
"Overall, I think priority should be given to ground-up, small, local businesses rather than offshore corporations," a business owner commented as part of their submission.
Another owner had an opposing opinion, questioning how much control the public could have on a viable business opportunity.
"I don’t think we can start dictating what type of businesses can open up in Wānaka" they wrote.
Despite the split in opinions, there was some consensus when owners were asked if they thought having a McDonald’s would directly affect their business, with 89% answering no and 11% answering yes.
Many of those who answered saying the restaurant would affect their business either worked in the hospitality sector or were worried about Wānaka’s image.
"We are opposed to it coming to town full stop — but up against a natural landmark like Mt Iron, plus all the health, economic and environmental implications — it’s a firm ‘no thank-you’ from us" commented one business owner.
