Shannon: small town, big plans

MAARTEN HOLL/The Dominion Post

MAKING A SPLASH: Suzie Johnson was behind the push to make over Shannon and five years later her success is evident.

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Once notorious for its gangs and crime, the small Horowhenua town of Shannon has been transformed into a thriving boutique shopping centre, with a new cycleway expected to boost tourism.

An influx of independent shops has remodelled Shannon (population 3000) on State Highway 57 about halfway between Wellington and Hawke's Bay.

Hanging baskets line the town's former shabby shopping centre where half a dozen upmarket clothing, jewellery, giftware, furniture, homeware and gourmet food stores have opened in recent years.

The upgrade was sparked by Suzie Johnson, who three years ago bought an old building and established a gallery to sell her artwork. "Everyone laughed at first and thought we were mental."

Mrs Johnson told Horowhenua District Council about her vision for a five-year makeover of the town and 70 people turned out to a public meeting and got behind the plan.

Public gardens were upgraded, the old railway station was repainted and new shops lining the street became thriving businesses with 18,000 vehicles passing their doors on weekdays – more on weekends.

Mrs Johnson now runs three stores – a giftware shop, a designer clothing shop and the gallery – and has leased space to a coffee cart.

"Everyone is talking about it. It used to be a tired, forgotten little town but now it's rocking."

A few years ago shop owners struggled to rent their premises, but now people were being turned away, she said.

Oosh La La designer clothing store worker Becs Skye said "Shanpagne" had been dubbed a "little Ponsonby" by Auckland shoppers. "The town has been totally transformed," Mrs Skye said.

Plumbago Coastal Country Living co-owner Glenn Harrison opened his shop four months ago and said the stores had been "the best-kept secret for a long time".

Former professional photographer Shellie Hanley opened Totty boutique three months ago, specialising in "posh pinnies bringing back some sex kitten 50s glamour to the kitchen".

"The upgrade has made people look at Shannon in a different way. It was heavily gang populated, there are still remnants, but the shopping centre has allowed people to feel proud of their town."

Shannon district councillor Robbie Shaw said the town was booming.

"It is unbelievable, people are coming from all over the place to shop here. We are getting lots of good comments from out of town. It makes you feel quite proud."

The council also plans to develop a cycleway over the Tararua Range from Shannon to Eketahuna.

Part of the Government's national cycleway, it would provide the first link between Horowhenua and Wairarapa.

Horowhenua District Council spokesman David Clapperton said: "It will boost economic development in the two small communities and provide some stunning vistas."

The council has applied for Tourism Ministry funding for a feasibility study for the 40-kilometre cycleway.

- © Fairfax NZ News