Christchurch's container mall gets more food tenants and an extra summer

It's the mall no-one wants to close.

Central Christchurch's container mall, previously known as Re:Start, can stay at least another summer – and perhaps longer.

New owner Richard Peebles had planned to run the mall until October but after approaches from tenants, he has extended their leases until the end of January.

He is also adding new tenants, mostly food outlets, and has applied to set up a licensed food court by next month.

"It will be bigger than ever," he said.

Peebles took the mall over from the Re:Start trust at the start of this month and renamed it the Container Mall on Riverside.

 

DAVID WALKER/FAIRFAX NZ

The mall has moved twice in its five-and-a-half years.

 

He and his development partners have planned a $80 million five-building Farmers Market development of shops, eateries and a daily market hall for the site. They originally needed the space to start their staged development in spring, but will now start all the buildings at once early next year.

"We wanted to give [the container mall tenants] another summer, so we'll start building in February and do it all at once."

Most of the existing tenants are staying until January and Peebles has signed up new food outlets and is rearranging others. The layout will be improved and more covered seating areas added in time for the Lions rugby tour next month. The food trucks and tourist market will remain.

"We'd like to really open it up  and make it work better," he said.

His application for a liquor licence is before the Christchurch City Council now.

Maureen Taane,owner of giftware and design store Hapa in the mall, said the lease extension was "a lifeline".

 

DANIEL TOBIN/FAIRFAX NZ

The container mall's food offerings are being expanded and a liquor licence is being sought.

 

"We're all delighted. A number of us got together and asked if we could have another Christmas and summer. They made it work and said yes.

"There are peaks and troughs and the good times are when the sun shines. For a small business in the inner city there aren't many affordable options and this will keep us trading".

Taane said she was among the container mall tenants who would move into Peebles' permanent complex when it was ready.

Peebles said if he could make it work, the end of summer would not be the end of the container mall. Re:Start first opened in 2011 as a six-month plan to keep retail alive in the central city, and has more than doubled in size.

"That container mall is known worldwide. It creates something that you can't get in the suburban shopping malls," Peebles said.

"We want to keep it. I would love to see a permanent container mall and there are a couple of sites available in the retail precinct. Maybe a smaller version.

"We haven't got a solution yet but we're investigating our options".

 - Stuff

 

DAVID HALLETT/FAIRFAX NZ

The container mall has doubled in size from its 2011 opening.