Supermarket appeal begins

Press, 27 November 1979, Page 6

Supermarket appeal begins

Woolworths (N.Z.), Ltd, yesterday began an appeal to the Planning Tribunal which, if approved, will mean the construction in Christchurch of New Zealand’s biggest, single-owner, supermarket complex. The company’s original plan to build in the area bordered by Marshland Road, New Brighton Road, and Golf Links Road, was rejected by the Christchurch City Council in March for reasons of zoning. In appealing, the company said that customers wanted a discount store; it would be complementary to local specialist shops. It is proposed to build the complex in two stages. Initially, the store would extend over 4500 sq m. Later, another 2200 sq m would be added. The whole would be next to the present Woolworth’s supermarket, which already has the third-highest turnover of any of the company’s New Zealand stores. The proposed complex,

called “Big W,” envisages more than 30 retail shops under one roof. The plan suggests an oblong design. Shoppers will enter at a minimum of entrance points and be surrounded by shops. The emphasis will be on selfservice. Woolworths believes this arrangement would enable shopkeepers to discount their wares as much as 15 per cent. The concept, however, goes against the City Council’s district scheme. Mr A. J. Hearn, for Woolworths, said the plan conformed generally with the scheme’s aims” and policies. But he did not believe the building could be satisfactorily resited to fit into the required zoning area.

The marketing director of Woolworths, Mr R. F. Parsons, said that the self-ser-vice discount store was well-proven overseas and would be an immediate success in New Zealand. The Shirley site was chosen because it was an established area where the company was already trading successfully. “Other shops that might be affected by our presence have the opportunity to expand or upgrade their market. Generally, they are catering for the’ upper end of the market, while we are catering for the middle and lower,” said Mr Parsons. He added: “If I wanted to have a small specialty shop, I would like to be next to a

discount department store." When the chairman of the tribunal (Mr P. R. Skelton, S.M.) asked, “Are you creating a demand rather than fulfilling it?” Mr Parsons replied, “A bit of both.” The City Council has offered an alternative plan that abides by the zoning requirements, but the chief architect for Woolworths (Mr D. A. Roke) does not believe it would be viable. “It would require a building twice as deep as it is wide. The people would get tired of going up and down,” he said. A discount store had to have easy accessibility. Twenty-seven objections to the complex have been tabled. The hearing is proceeding.