Market upsets business owners
An afternoon market is taking potential customers away from small businesses in Alexandra, a business owner says.
Kiwi Milk Bar and Cafe owner Lee McIntosh is concerned markets run on a Friday afternoon in Pioneer Park, and which sells food, is impacting negatively on her business.
McIntosh penned a letter to the Central Otago District Council late last year outlining her and hus- band Mac’s ‘‘disappointment, dismay and frustration’’ towards the markets.
‘‘We believe this [selling food] to be totally unfair, a threat to our continued existence and a real kick in the guts to the rate paying cafes,’’ McIntosh says in the letter.
‘‘All you are doing is taking business away from the small businesses who have made a commitment to the town.’’.
The letter asks the council to consider moving the markets to a Sunday, which would ‘‘[offer] something in the town centre on a day when otherwise not much is going on’’ and draw people in from around the region.
It’s understood the cafe owners were supported by at least four other small businesses in town.
On Thursday, McIntosh said they were not against the markets, just the day they were held.
Market organiser Adrienne Lamb said the market complied with council regulations and was entitled to be there.
The 10 to 15 stalls were also run by business people trying to make a living, she said.
‘‘When I read [the letter], I thought it was ridiculous. Just really silly stuff. I have it on a Friday so it doesn’t conflict with other markets.
Lamb said the markets, started early last year, had been a success and were bringing people into Alexandra, which was of benefit to other businesses.
The Vincent Community Board dealt with the matter by way of an informal meeting with concerned businesses and Lamb, and concluded that no further action would be taken.
Plane diverted
A classic 1940s DC3 landed unexpectedly at Pukaki Airport, near Twizel, yesterday forcing 16 tour passengers to complete their journey to Queenstown by bus. The Ardmore Airport, Auckland-based Fly DC3 charter plane, with the registration NZ3546, had ‘‘technical difficulties’’, pilot Geoff Cooper said. The plane had been to Omaka, Blenheim for an Easter show then to Ashburton where 16 passengers, including two from the UK and two from Australia, boarded and departed at 8.30am to fly to Queenstown. Pukaki-based Red Cat Biplane Flights pilot Chris Rudge said the last time a DC3 landed at Pukaki Airport was about seven years ago.
Youth awards
Central Otago’s Nikki Wheeler, 19, and Wanaka’s Leo Munro-Heward, 16, [pictured] received Giving Back Awards at the 2017 New Zealand Youth Awards in Wellington last week. Munro-Heward founded Wanaka’s Queer Straight Alliance to champion the freedom of youth to be themselves without fear or prejudice, while Wheeler co-founded Sticks ‘n Stones in 2013 and has been working on anti cyber-bullying projects.
Permanent decision likely
A pedestrian only trial in one of Queenstown’s busiest streets looks set to become permanent. The Queenstown Lakes District Council will tomorrow likely declare upper Beach St a ‘‘pedestrian mall’’ meaning any driving, riding or parking will be excluded at all times. Should the recommendation gain approval, exceptions to the rule will be goods and services vehicles between 5am and 10am, emergency services vehicles at all times and any other vehicles authorised by the council. Making the street smoke-free and issues related to parking and loading zones would be considered as part of the Queenstown Town Centre Master Plan and the Queenstown Town Centre Transport Strategy.
Correction
A photo on page two of yesterday’s paper was incorrectly captioned as Tahu Parkinson. The photo was of Oti Murray.