Editorial: Plaza a positive for city

OPINION: Palmerston North's redeveloped Plaza has opened its doors and there's a real buzz around the city as people rush in to see what's on offer.

Much has been said about the development, and it was great to finally see the result first hand. It is impressive. While one shopping mall looks much like any other, the $93 million redevelopment represents a significant opportunity for Palmerston North.

New stores have moved to the city creating new jobs, Palmerston North can market itself as a regional retail destination and local residents have less need to take their money to Wellington to shop.

The company that owns The Plaza, Kiwi Income Property Trust, used local contractors for as much of the development work as possible, and should be commended for doing so.

The project provided a considerable amount of work for local businesses during a period of economic downturn.

Of course, The Plaza's extension has raised questions about the viability of other retailers in the city, particularly on Broadway Ave. Those concerns are genuine, and the anxiety of business owners affected is understandable.

It's unclear what impact The Plaza will have on Palmerston North's broader retail landscape, but that shouldn't detract from the fact the shopping centre's redevelopment is a positive step forward for the city.

Quality stores in other parts of Palmerston North will not only survive, they should thrive. Those of low quality will struggle and will likely be weeded out. That's the harsh reality of competition.

Naturally, The Plaza will enjoy a honeymoon period courtesy of public curiosity and publicity. It is a convenient place to shop, but shoppers are after more than just convenience.

Whatever happens, The Plaza is here to stay and there's little point agonising over what might or might not happen to other retail outlets. Change often breeds uncertainty and foreboding, but it is one of life's few inevitabilities.

We should all embrace this change as something that presents huge potential for the city as a whole, congratulate all those who worked hard to make it happen, and hope its potential is fully realised.Bravo Colin Mathura-Jefree. The New Zealand's Next Top Model judge's glowing praise of Palmerston North is indicative of what the overwhelming majority of people visiting the city actually think.

"This is a great city, I can't believe that people don't see how great Palmerston North is," he said.

"You're so friendly and have a wonderful attitude."

He even rates our fashion sense! While Mr Mathura-Jefree might just be being polite to a certain degree, his remarks are an echo of what I've heard every visitor to Palmerston North say. It's a shame the few people who seem to derive a kind of perverse pleasure from bagging the place get most of the attention.

- © Fairfax NZ News

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