‘Games gloom’ hits some businesses in Chch

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33443, 26 January 1974, Page 1

‘Games gloom ’ hits some businesses in Chch

Gloom is spreading through some sections of the Christchurch business community: the business bonanza expected as a result of the Commonwealth Games has not eventuated.

The disappointment expressed by almost all eating establishments, some hotels, all taxi-drivers, and some clothing and souvenir stores is partly offset by reports of marked increases in business from some large department stores and camera shops.

But it is clear that many businesses are going to lose money on their Games expectations, and that there will be quite a few sales of unsold Games souvenirs in the weeks ahead. The most dismal reports yesterday came from eating establishments, many of which had hired extra staff, stored extra supplies, arranged to stay open late, and advertised their intentions heavily. The Winter Garden, for instance, which was ready to serve from 500 to 1000 hot meals between 6 p.m. and midnight on Thursday, opening day, had just 10 customers. However, the attendance at the Winter Garden last evening for meals was “300 .per cent better,” said the manager (Mr B. Reed). Thirty diners sought meals. i The kitchens were prepared for 500 last evening “just in case” but the catering was being done bit bv bit, he said. The Limes Room at the j

Town Hall was ready .to serve smorgasbord to up to 300: there were 17 diners. The Coffee Pot had three customers in two hours. The kiosk in the Botanic Gardens had six customers in three evenings. Most restaurants have either returned to their normal hours, or plan to do so in the next day or so. “Disappointing"' City and suburban hotels, although fully booked for accommodation, at present report only slight increases in bar and dining-room trade. Comments ranged from "reasonable business” to "disappointing.” Stores report that Games souvenirs are selling well, but several commented that there had clearly been overordering of many souvenir lines, and that there would be a lot of unsold miscellaneous goods bearing the Games symbol after all the athletes and visitors had gone home.

' Camera shops are one of the few lines of business happy with the custom they are getting. Sales of film, especially movie film, have been very high, and sales of such items as telephoto lenses and binoculars have also been above normal. One] shop estimated it was doing: at least twice its normal business for this time of thel year. The city's large depart-j ment stores were also happy! with business: “Good and; solid, but not exceptional,” said one executive. Trade has been well up for the last week to a fortnight, the stores said, and many of the customers are visitors, who do much shopping in gift and souvenir departments, women’s fashions also going well. It was not surprising that the big “name” stores should attract the visitors while the smaller businesses suffered, one retailer said. Visitors in a strange town always tended to head for the bigger establishments. One section of many department stores was crowded yesterday: the area where they had the colour television sets. Many shops had both black and white and colour sets going, but

the preference of passers-by was clear.

Taxi firms, having arranged extra licences and staff, again expressed strong disappointment yesterday in the business they have' experienced so far. Drivers hoped the situation would improve during the weekend.