Nuffield biggest thing since Saturday Shopping

Media release

Newmarket Business Association

Wednesday 16 August 2006

Nuffield biggest thing since introduction of Saturday shopping

"The opening of an entire street tomorrow is the most significant thing for Newmarket since the legalisation of Saturday and Sunday shopping in the 1980s," said the head of the Newmarket Business Association, Cameron Brewer, today.

Mr Brewer's comments come ahead of tomorrow's much-celebrated opening of the redeveloped Nuffield Street, which comprises of 29 stores with a distinct fashion flavour. Almost all of the stores will be open for trade from Thursday morning.

"Newmarket now offers the ultimate in shopping. Not only do we have the best stores, but we now offer the most rounded retail experience in the country. We have first-class strip shopping, a premier mall, and now an intimate High Street full of boutiques. It's a trifecta.

Mr Brewer said despite Statistic New Zealand figures this week showing retail sales across the country easing back after seven years of solid growth, Newmarket is confident about its future.

"We've got more than 40 new retail businesses in Newmarket opening in August alone. While numerous costs are currently squeezing the consumer, Newmarket remains confident largely because we're pitching top products to the top end.

"Nuffield is not just another retail development. This development boasts some of the best names and brands around, with 10 of the new businesses completely new to New Zealand. All of them have chosen Newmarket, simply because they believe it is the best retailing district in this country.

"While we may be the second commercial centre in Auckland, there's no doubting now we are the premier shopping precinct in the country.

Mr Brewer said that premier status is being further cemented in the coming weeks with the opening of the likes of a New Zealand-first Adidas concept store opposite Two Double Seven, a giant Newmarket Fresh delicatessen on Gillies Avenue, and Broadway's oldest lady Smith and Caughey's is expanding to three times the size.

"That's not to mention the $10 million of infrastructural upgrades for the town centre in the next two years, including new footpaths for Broadway, an upgrade of Lumsden Green and the redevelopment of the Olympic Pool. Newmarket is also getting a new railway station.

Mr Brewer describes the Nuffield Street redevelopment is real a paradigm shift for Westfield.

"Westfield deserves a big pat on the back with its $25m investment into Nuffield Street which strongly reinforces Newmarket's premier retailing offering

"Even the career critics among our community are delighted with the redevelopment of Nuffield Street. It's not only of the right scale. The tone underpins Newmarket's premier aspirations.

"Nuffield will add to Newmarket, what the viaduct harbour redevelopment added to the CBD nearly a decade ago. It's going to add some real heart and soul to our aspiring business district.

Mr Brewer noted that Newmarket has long been short on alfresco dining and drinking experiences but soon when the temperatures start to lift, coffee drinkers and diners will be spilling out from Nuffield's seven new cafes, bars and restaurants.

"The intimate tree-lined street has always had plenty of potential. Westfield has done a fabulous job transforming Nuffield's old brick workshops into high-end boutiques. It's also great that the much-loved 1951 Mercury Building will soon be humming with the likes of Watercare and Sony corporates in modern offices above with retail below."

"Nuffield proves that boutique shopping is alive and well, and that good taste is still in demand. Every other town centre in New Zealand will be green with envy," said Cameron Brewer.

ENDS

New to Nuffield: Alannah Hill; Karen Millen; Trelise Cooper Kids; Swanndri; Kingan Jones; Nicholson; Superette; Runway; General Issue; Lucie Boshier; NZ Girl; Strada; Vincent; Occhiali Optical; Isakelle; Birkenstock; Glamorpuss; Harrowset Hall; Angela Daniel Jewellery; Kikki.K; Moss; Nest; Wagamama; Mecca Café; Olive; Nuffield Brew Bar; Tasca Café & Bar; Caffe Massimo; Mexicali Fresh.

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