Square makeover stands still

The Streets for People redevelopment of the eastern side of Palmerston North’s The Square is yet to attract foot traffic back to the area.

The latest pedestrian count figures released by the Property Institute show the numbers outside The Plaza on Church St and along The Square are continuing to decline.

That is despite a $2.4 million makeover of the block from Church St to Main St during a 27-week closure to vehicle traffic this year.

The city council project was

designed, through its wide footpaths, street furniture, planting and reduced parking and traffic lanes to make the area more attractive for shoppers to linger.

But retailers whose business took a knock during the construction are still waiting for the benefits to materialise.

Rembrandt shop manager Shirley Cameron said business was still down on the same time last year. ‘‘ A lot of money has been spent for seats for beggars to lounge on and skaters to jump over.’’

She said the road layout changes had created a traffic jam, with vehicles constantly backing up from the Church St lights and around the corner into Main St.

It made the roadside seats an unattractive place to sit, alongside idling vehicles.

‘‘I try to stay positive, but after six months putting up with the closure we have not seen the benefits yet.’’

Around the corner in Main St,

Post Shop manager Ken Lusby agreed that the loss of car parks and traffic congestion were discouraging shoppers.

The Sushi Shop owner James Te said business was not back to pre-covid levels, but the street looked better and he remained hopeful people would return in greater numbers as the weather improved. ‘‘We haven’t seen the benefits yet, but it’s a bit early to say.’’

Their observations are in line with those from Palmy Business Improvement District interim chairman Rob Campbell, who said there was yet to be an uplift in trade.

The initial blocking of a right turn from Church St into The Square, which had been reversed after the group’s lobbying, had been a barrier to people entering the area. The figures show The Plaza retaining its position as the city’s premium retail area.

But the trend continued for people to use car parking to access The Plaza, and not venture out the front door into Church St and The Square.

Some 2086 people were counted at the Ferguson St entrances to The Plaza, but less than 1000 at the front door.

Property Institute Manawatu¯ branch spokesman Jason Hockly said the decline on The Square was one of the exceptional findings in this year’s count. ‘‘It is unsure if this redevelopment has had an effect to pedestrian traffic through this area.’’

‘‘A lot of money has been spent for seats for beggars to lounge on and skaters to jump over.’’ Shirley Cameron Rembrandt shop manager