Progress!
Last weekend saw the opening of the fantastic City Mall restart project.
I’m particularly pleased to see this project come to life, because it’s like an exclusively retail version of something I was mulling over back in May, except from a small business perspective. I even registered a domain, and setup a basic website: www.kickstartacity.com But never pursued it. I didn’t have the balls to commit to it – too preoccupied and busy with sorting out my own situation and business.
But strolling around the new temporary City Mall, I couldn’t help but wonder, what’s this place going to be like during the week? It’s the only part of the city open. The rest is totally inaccessible, still cordoned off. Who’s going to be in there during the week?
There are a LOT of small businesses who are still working from home, or in less than idea premises, I for one would LOVE to have a temporary office in City Mall. I hope given the success of the opening on Saturday, they consider expanding to offer small office space in there. It’d be snapped up instantly, and provide life in there during the week.
It also spurred another idea I’ve been thinking about for a couple months, but again don’t have time to commit to doing seriously.
I’d love to setup a ‘Christchurch Carnival’ site to operate over the summer. Think of a vacant 600 - 800 sqm site in City Mall transformed into a golden sand beach. A family / R21 site operating Friday and Saturday nights during the summer, a small stage and outdoor movie screen setup, playing classic kiwi content from NZ On Screen. Some live music performances, maybe some more unusual fun stuff like the UrbanDaddy Cycling Classic
Convert a couple of old classic kiwi caravans, one serving food, maybe build a wood fired pizza oven, the other serving NZ made drinks. L&P, Some local micro brews (Bring Back The Hop!), oh, and of course Stolen Rum based summer cocktails.
Basicall I’d love it to be a low key, casual, festive atmosphere. Not like ‘The Strip’ of old, filled with drunk vomiting teenagers. A relaxed, fun atmosphere for families, and the more mature mid 20’s on crowd.
If you know anyone interested or capable of bringing this to life, tell them to get in touch, i’d be more than happy to explain the idea more fully!
Layton
