Re:Start mall to live a bit longer
Re:Start is about to officially end after five and a half years, but the Christchurch container mall will stay on under another name until October.
The Re:Start trust winds up on April 30. The group of developers who own the site, in the city’s retail precinct by the Bridge of Remembrance, have brokered a deal to buy the containers from the trust. They will continue running the container mall and give Re:Start tenants the opportunity to remain under new leases.
The shops and eateries will eventually make way later this year for construction of a $80 million farmers’ market precinct on the land. Some of the businesses will take space in the new permanent development. Others have already moved into new buildings elsewhere in Christchurch’s retail precinct.
John Suckling, chairman of Re:Start the Heart Trust, said the mall had fulfilled its aim of keeping inner city retail alive and they had been thrilled at the response from locals and visitors.
‘‘Here we are six years later and the time has come to make way for the retail precinct, which is rapidly taking shape.
‘‘Re:Start was always a transitional space. We don’t want to compete with new buildings – it was never our aim to be here long term.’’
Landowner Richard Peebles, who will develop the new complex with partners Mike Percasky and Kris Inglis, said they wanted to keep up the momentum of ‘‘vibrancy and energy’’ in the area until they began construction. They will rebrand the container mall Farmers Market.
The group recently approached the trust with the offer to buy the containers, and the deal was approved after a meeting of the trust members.
Re:Start opened in October 2011, largely funded by the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal Trust and with sponsorship from ASB Bank. After April 30, all funds held by Re:Start the Heart Trust will be returned to the Earthquake Appeal Trust.