Call for Free Parking in Hastings City Centre

The Hastings City Business Association is calling on HDC councillors to consider a trial period of one hour free parking in Hastings CBD to run from October 1st to December 31st 2015. Michael Whittaker Chairman of the HCBA wrote; “A meaningful 3 month limited free parking trial during a critical retail trading period signals a strong commitment from HDC that it is serious in supporting and helping the CBD transform and develop over the months and years ahead.”

Last week’s Mayor’s CBD Symposium was well attended and created much discussion. One of the hot topics was the issue of the uneven playing field with free parking at the big box retailers, Bay Plaza and Havelock North versus paid parking in the Heretaunga shopping area. Susan McDade, General Manager of the association says “the issue of one hour of free parking really resonates with our retail members and it would give them a much needed boost in the prime retail season”.

On the back of a proposed decrease in Napier’s CBD parking metre rates there is even more competition for a better customer experience, of which parking is a factor. The trial period proposed by the Business Association will give HDC time to further investigate a long term parking strategy while giving immediate assistance and a boost to the city.

ENDS

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Gordon Campbell: On The Government’s Smokefree Laws Debacle

The most charitable explanation for National’s behaviour over the smokefree legislation is that they have dutifully fulfilled the wishes of the Big Tobacco lobby and then cast around for excuses that might sell this health policy U-turn to the public. The less charitable view is that the government was being deliberately misleading. Are we to think Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is a fool or a liar? It seems rather early on in his term of office to be facing that unpleasant choice... More