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FEATURE
FEATURE
Collaboration and communication between businesses and council
help new businesses get established and existing businesses to
run efficiently, while upgrading and beautifying public spaces is an
important part of attracting people into town.
STORY BY SUMMA MACDONALD
SARAH HODGETT
Operation Blenheim CBD
But it’s not all superficial, says BBA chair Lynette Rayner. “Town
is a reflection of the economic success of the wider region and
tidy streets and vibrant spaces play a part in attracting people to
town,” Lynette says. “But if we want to fundamentally change the
way people regard the CBD, we have to have a plan with a bit more
substance than just the aesthetics.”
Enter the Marlborough Mile, a BBA initiative dreamed up over
‘beers and ideas’ networking events.
The mile-long walk around the Blenheim CBD is an innovative
way of showcasing what makes the region unique and connects
the town centre to the many exciting industries and stories from
around the region through interactive displays and creative spaces.
The first section of the Marlborough Mile - the station to town
link - was rolled out in October. The rest of the trail, plus its
creative features would be completed over the next two to three
years, she says.
“We’re still in the consultation stage with industry and the public,
so we don’t have all the details yet, we want to make sure we get
it right. We envision the CBD as being a real destination, full of safe
communal areas where people can hang out, bump into friends,
relax while the kids are playing and gain a deeper understanding of
our beautiful region via the interactive displays and features.”
Other opportunities being explored by the BBA in the CBD, include
enabling al-fresco dining, supporting major events, increasing
accessibility and extending opening hours.
Integrated green spaces,
public seating, alfresco
dining, interactive
displays and spaces for
children to play while
parents relax.
Sounds like a brochure
for one of the best towns
in the world right?
But we’re not talking about Queenstown, Bibury
or Byron Bay, we’re talking about Blenheim,
the hub of the diverse and thriving region of
Marlborough.
It’s no secret the rise in big box retail and
online shopping and business transactions
has irrevocably changed small towns in New
Zealand forever. But with a multitude of thriving
industries driving the region, the Blenheim
Business Association is focussing on the positives
as it hashes out a plan to revitalise the central
business district.
The Blenheim Business Association was set
up in 2016 to advocate for the CBD’s business
and property owners, and create a vision for
a vibrant and enduring town centre. BBA co-
ordinator Caroline Stone says the Blenheim CBD
is “the beating heart” of the region’s industries,
yet there is nothing in town that connects to our
thriving and innovative commercial enterprises
that are renown around the world.
“If you were to blindfold someone and drop
them in Blenheim, they would have no idea
where they were when they opened their
eyes,” she says. “There’s nothing that jumps
out and says Marlborough and that’s just crazy
considering we are home to some of the best
sauvignon blanc and seafood in the world.”
Since it was established, the BBA has succeeded
in having minimum build sizes put in place at the
Westwood development to keep niche retail in
the CBD; worked with council on a number of
reviews of CBD policies and by-laws to maximise
activity; and successfully lobbied for upgrades to
Market Place and Bythell Place.
The recent decision by council to lift the town’s Dog Control Bylaw
and allow dogs in the CBD to coincide with the 65th Black Hawk
National Dog Show in October 2019 was an example of how
changes could be explored before deciding to go “all the way”,
Lynette says. “We’ve got no shortage of ideas for improving the
CBD, but change can be challenging, it can be divisive, so doing
trials like the dog by-law is a great way to discover the fish hooks
and find out if it is actually better before it is set in concrete.”
The BBA has achieved a lot in a short space of time with a relatively
small number of dedicated volunteers. So far they have 43
members, but they would like to have more, Lynette says.
“The louder our voice the more influence we have,” she says. “We
may not all be united on the issues, but at least we all know where
we stand. That communication and collaboration is key for making
progress and ensuring our town is a vibrant, humming place in the
future.”
If you are a CBD landlord or business owner or manager and would
like to find out more about the BBA, head to their
website: blenheimbusiness.org.nz or Facebook page:
@BlenheimBusinessAssociation. You can also email BBA:
[email protected] or pop in and visit Caroline at
the new office at Adams Place by the BNZ.
Make the most of your town
over the summer holidays!
• Bike or walk along the Taylor River into town for a coffee,
lunch or a riverside picnic.
• Buy an ice cream and feed the ducks at the Riverside Park.
• Purchase a Christmas bauble from the BBA, put a special
message inside for a loved one who you won’t be with this
Christmas and hang it up on one of the BBA’s festive wine
barrel Christmas trees. All proceeds will be donated to charity.
• Park up for a rainy day lunch followed by a movie.
• Indulge in some retail therapy - there are loads of clothing,
homeware and gift stores in the CBD. Have a browse and
stay a while!
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