Council Christmas plan welcomed by retailers
Wellingtonians have spoken and Wellington City Council has listened – and unveiled a fresh new plan to celebrate
Christmas in the Capital.
Last week Council officers met with representatives from the retail and hospitality sectors as well as the Wellington
Regional Chamber of Commerce, to outline plans to reinvigorate the festive season in the city.
“The Council is working hard to make the festive season in 2014 a memorable and vibrant occasion for Wellingtonians and
visitors, and especially a successful one for retailers,” says Wellington Mayor Celia Wade-Brown.
“We’ve listened to feedback from the retail sector, as well as the general public, and we want to provide a much better
experience for everyone this year.
“We’ll deliver a refreshed Santa Parade, showcasing the amazing creative talent of this city, decorations on the street,
and entertainment in the CBD to make Wellington a great place to be this December.”
“We’re also looking forward to retailers, corporates and other organisations coming to the party with ideas to light up
and decorate the city’s shops and buildings.”
Councillor Jo Coughlan, Chair of Council’s Economic Development Committee, says the new plan acknowledges the importance
of the festive season to the retail and hospitality sectors in Wellington - with a bigger budget and a focus on working
collaboratively.
“The Council is focused on making Wellington a great place to live and a great place to do business. We want to work
closely with retailers, restaurateurs and building owners to ensure that Wellingtonians are attracted to shopping and
spending in the CBD during this traditionally busy time of year.
The plan was warmly received by representatives from the hospitality and retail sectors.
Dylan Firth, Southern North Island Regional Manager of Hospitality New Zealand said that the feedback from the
hospitality industry for this plan has been very positive. “The collaborative approach taken when developing and
implementing this plan will allow the hospitality industry to better organise their own events and promotions around
what the Council is doing – it’s this kind of relationship that allows for a better buzz in Wellington over the festive
season".
“The Council has hit the mark,” said Chris Wilkinson, Managing Director of First Retail Group.
“This has been a fantastic opportunity for the retail and hospitality sectors to sit around the same table and work
together.”
Barry Hellberg of the Retailers Association says it is heartening to see the Council join forces with both the retail
and hospitality sectors. “We all have a role to play in making Wellington a place where businesses want to be.”
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