Harington St in Tauranga’s CBD became one-way in March, causing problems for business owners.
Photo: LDR / David Hall

Tauranga business owners say sales have plummeted due to the new road layout and they fear they will have to close their stores.

Lisa Parker is the owner of Liquorland on Harington St in Tauranga’s city centre. In March, the lower end of the street became one-way due to nearby construction and, according to the city council, to increase safety and streamline traffic flow.

Other CBD roads have also been changed as part of a two-year trial, while construction of the $306 million Te Manawataki o Te Papa civic precinct and other private developments were in progress.

Parker presented a petition, signed by almost 150 people, at a Tauranga City Council meeting on Tuesday, calling for Harington Street to be returned to two-way traffic.

She said sales at her store have fallen by more than a third since the road became one-way.

“The business is no longer viable and yet I have two years of lease remaining with the added costs of rates, insurance etc. for the building.”

The decline in sales was directly related to the street becoming one-way, Parker said.

There was a “considerable backlash” from customers about the changes and they expressed their anger to staff on a daily basis, she said.

Parker said she had permission from the franchisor to close in February next year, but would still have $200,000 in lease obligations.

Liquorland owner Lisa Parker said her business’s sales have dropped by a third since the road alignment changes.
Photo: LDR / David Hall

If the street were to become two-way again, it would mean a lot to its customers, it would allow it to stay open and its staff could keep their jobs, she said.

Mohammad Rahman bought Café on The Strand 18 months ago and told Local Democracy Reporting that his sales have dropped 20 to 30 percent since the route changes.

The biggest impact was the bus stop, which removed parking directly opposite his cafe, on the corner of Harington St and The Strand, he said.

Rahman said customers were complaining about the lack of parking spaces and the cost.

New developments in the city would improve things, but for now his business had to survive, he said.

“I’m losing business right now and I have to survive. It’s really hard for me.

“What the council is doing might be better in the future, but at the moment I’m struggling.”

Speaking at the meeting, Parker said another problem his business faced was people drinking at the recently installed bus stop outside his store, despite it being an area prohibited from alcohol.

The bus stop had shaded seats and trees so could be a place where people could relax, she said.

“Customers and I are stunned that the council is considering putting a bus stop outside a liquor store.

“It’s asking for trouble and we get trouble.”

Staff collected empty bottles and cans from outside the store and bus stop daily, despite the alcohol ban.

Parker said buses also sometimes park across the driveway, further deterring customers, and that problems created by the bus stop meant its liquor license might not be renewed .

Parker received an email from police in June stating that the CBD’s license and good order was declining and that the renewal of his liquor license could be in jeopardy.

“Not only is my business in danger due to lack of traffic and declining sales, but I now have to deal with the fact that my license will not be renewed.

“We tie that just to the route change and the resulting demographics.”

Store staff refused to sell to customers they saw drinking at the bus stop, Parker said.

“We value and do not take lightly our privilege and responsibilities to sell alcohol.”

The store was open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., except Friday and Saturday when it closed at 8 p.m.

The store would have to open earlier and close later for financial reasons, but Parker said she is maintaining those hours for the safety of her staff and the community.

Parker was informed of the street changes in February and raised her concerns with council, but they were “rejected,” she said.

Deputy Mayor Jen Scoular said it was important people were heard during the consultation process.

Tauranga Deputy Mayor Jen Scoular said it was important to maintain current CBD operations.
Photo: LDR / David Hall

Harington St highlighted a situation where work was underway to make the CBD the heart of Tauranga, but businesses already there had to continue operating, Scoular said.

She asked if changes could be made to make lower Harington Street two-way.

Infrastructure general manager Nic Johansson said it was possible and staff were exploring options that would be presented to council in the new year.

Mayor Mahé Drysdale asked staff to provide a report to council on returning lower Harington Street to two-way traffic at its Dec. 9 meeting.

Parker said after the meeting she was grateful council had agreed to look at options for Harington St earlier.

If the trade came back both ways and the public responded, it might be time to save his business, Parker said.

Tauranga city center manager Genevieve Whitson acknowledged the bus stop had a negative impact on Liquorland because it took up a lot of space and limited access to the store when traffic was blocked.

Feedback from CBD businesses was that the one-way traffic system was an adjustment, but for the most part they were used to it by now, Whitson said.

Tauranga City Center supported the transformation of the city center but did not support the speed and pace at which the one-way traffic system was implemented, she said.

Businesses needed more time to digest the changes and provide feedback, which could have alleviated some of the challenges that arose in lower Harington Street, Whitson said.

“We really hope the council will involve businesses in the process when this pilot is reviewed to ensure we get the best outcome for all parties involved.”

LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.