Retail strategy experts Lorraine Nicholson and Chris Wilkinson are heading to Ashburton next week and they’re keen to talk – in cafes, laundromats and butcher shops, as well as in workshops they’re organising to help reinvigorate the town centre.

Lorraine and Chris run First Retail Group, which has been commissioned by Council to do a study of Ashburton’s town centre. The pair have a deep understanding of the opportunities and challenges of provincial economies, with successful projects delivered in Invercargill, Cambridge, Gore, Nelson and Masterton.

They will be immersing themselves in Ashburton from Monday 2 March, and spending a week engaging with local business owners and customers.

Council Group Manager of Development and Compliance Ian Hyde said Council was organising two workshops on Tuesday 3 March and inviting business people to come along and share their ideas and aspirations.

“We know that day-time meetings don’t suit everyone, so that is why Lorraine and Chris are here all week, happy to meet one-on-one, or with groups, and informally making contact with people as they get to know our town.”

Chris said Ashburton’s recently revamped CBD was a beautiful canvas for the commercial community.

“We want to talk about goodwill, spending habits, and helping businesses and the town centre adapt to changing audiences. People move for a better way of life, there’s a wider range of ethnic backgrounds and an ageing population. Businesses need to be relevant to those changing audiences.

“If you see us about town next week, please stop and chat. We’re up for 6am coffee or a catch-up at 7pm after the last appointment.”

Chris and Lorraine have retail and property backgrounds, and understand what drives consumers.

“A strong commercial community that works cohesively and collaboratively can stop spending escaping to other towns and cities," Chris said.

“We want people to take a second look at Ashburton and refocus on getting that spending back into the local economy. Residents should feel proud of what Ashburton has to offer.

“We’ll come up with ideas that can be delivered by the commercial community within their existing budgets, so it’s not about creating new costs but leveraging the strengths already there.”

Council has set aside $50,000 for a project to re-energise the CBD, and the investigation and recommendations by First Retail Group will be in a report expected in June this year.

Want more information or to connect with our Economic Development team about this project? Email economic.development@adc.govt.nz