The Colombo Celebrates with Dynamic Night of Food, Fashion & Design

Sydenham’s boutique shopping precinct, The Colombo http://thecolombo.co.nz/, is hosting a Dynamic Night of Food, Fashion & Design event http://thecolombo.co.nz/events/ this Thursday, as a unique opportunity to showcase The Colombo at its very best. The event will also celebrate The Colombo’s 4 years of trading and provide an opportunity to highlight the soon to open, Stage Two development.

The Colombo’s success is now recognised as providing a positive influence and catalyst for change on Sydenham. Once considered a “forgotten suburb” and just a gateway to the CBD, The Colombo is a now a desirable destination that has played an important role by redefining Sydenham’s future and providing a positive foundation for others to follow.

What was once an outdated and rather sad shopping centre has now been replaced by The Colombo, an upmarket unique boutique-style shopping and entertainment experience for Christchurch, that has captured the attention of not just locals and out of town visitors but tourists.

Positioned in the cities leading industrial area of downtown Sydenham, The Colombo is only 5 minute walk from the CBD.

The Colombo has been highly successful having established a very strong point of difference that provides a customer experience that doesn’t feel like a mall. It has been acknowledged as having a good community, non-commercial ambience that is both safe and uplifting.

When did it all start?

Lilly Cooper, director of Cooper Developments, bought the former Spotlight Mall in December 2010 and appointed her daughter, Caroline Cooper-Dixon to take charge of the mall’s redevelopment and ongoing direction.

The objective was to turn what was an outdated and rather sad shopping centre into something edgy and fun, and provide the city with a most desirable, food fashion, homeware and entertainment experience.

To achieve this, Coopers Developments knew they needed to have a compelling vision, engaging personality, quality substantiation, and a stunning architectural environment.

As Caroline Cooper-Dixon says:

“Sydenham's "grungy, cool" feel appeals to businesses, as does its proximity to the city centre.”

“It's just an extension of the city really, just like Addington, and while we knew it would link itself up again, we also wanted to provide people with a compelling reason to visit Sydenham.”

“To achieve this we recognised that we needed to establish a unique shopping and entertainment destination like none other.”

“We also saw The Colombo as providing a positive influence and catalyst for encouraging other retailers and businesses to Sydenham and we also felt it would provide investors/developers with confidence to consider new development in close proximity to The Colombo and beyond.”

Stage Two at The Colombo

Stage two of The Colombo would add about 1000 square metres with some retailers already committed.

A ‘‘collective’’ group of independent fashion-design retailers would occupy one gallery space.

The first part of stage two, on the site of the old Postie Plus, will open from the end of next month.

Dynamic Night of Food, Fashion & Design event

The Colombo is hosting a Dynamic Night of Food, Fashion & Design this Thursday with most of the tickets already sold for what will be the first in a series of events.

The evening is to celebrate four years of trading for the boutique shopping precinct within a retail section of Sydenham that was hit hard by the Canterbury earthquakes of 2010 and 2011.

About 300 will attend, including fashion followers and corporate groups. Food outlets from within the mall will support the event as will Hotel Montreal, on the cocktail and drinks side.

Guest’s will be welcomed with cocktails & champagne served alongside food from The Colombo’s European & Asian fusion styled eateries. Mini burgers, ice-creams, Dumplings, Sushi and French pastries will ensure the evening is one of indulgence for guest’s taste buds as well as their eyes.

Every area of The Colombo will be transformed to a fashionista’s paradise, fitted out to amaze guests who will be able to view installations from home & fashion designers showcasing their Autumn/Winter 2015 collections. This will be followed by a fashion show with a unique, creative flare and a further launch of some of the up and coming brands arriving into The Colombo Stage Two.

Amazing goodie bags filled with products specially selected from The Colombo’s stores will be available for everyone on the night.

ENDS

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