Well, what a bumpy ride the latter part of 2021 has proven to be.
The ongoing economic impact of Covid-19 will be felt for a long time by our small businesses, some of whom have been unable to trade at all, surviving on government support, rent relief from landlords, tapping into their own reserves, and borrowing whatever they can.
Most are doing their utmost to keep staff on the payroll for when the good times return. But it’s a grim situation. As we know, vaccination is key to getting back to ‘normal’, and residents of Newmarket and the surrounding central and eastern suburbs have done excellently – well on track to 90% double doses. It’s left us with a sense of “we’ve done what we’ve been asked, now let us get on with it”. I’m sure you’ll agree that we’re all looking forward to being able to enjoy some freedoms again. Our businesses desperately want to resume trading.
When we do get back to some normality, we expect to run straight into the Christmas period, which will be busy. When you do finally manage to get back to Newmarket, you’ll notice a few changes! There are some new stores around the precinct, some have moved to new premises, and we have even more luxury retail on offer (some for the first time in NZ). Below is a quick run-down on what’s been happening during lockdown.
Timberland has returned to Newmarket after a short hiatus. Their new flagship store is on the corner of Broadway and Teed Street. Saben are new kids on the block, recently opening a boutique on Teed Street just along from taylor.
Quite a few stores have relocated, including: Birkenstock, who have moved from Station Square to Teed Street, right beside Timberland; Redcurrent have moved from Westfield to Broadway, beside AS Colour; L’Occitane have moved from one side of Broadway to the other, just along from Smith & Caughey’s; Nature Baby, long-term residents of Carlton Gore Road, have moved to a bigger new store in Melrose Street; Deadly Ponies have flipped sides of the road in Osborne Street with a stunning new boutique; Parker & Co have relocated from Nuffield Street to Teed Street, just down from the Larder; Stylerunner, new to NZ, have opened a huge 300sqm store opposite Rodd & Gunn inside Westfield, along with a brand new store for Aje Athletica.
In addition to all of this, Smith & Caughey’s have opened a brand new ‘Home’ department, plus a café, new beauty treatment rooms, and have welcomed Hermes Cosmetics to the store. Speaking of luxury, there are new arrivals to Westfield Newmarket, including: Saint Laurent, who opened just before lockdown; and Moncler, opened in October. Brands opening soon include: Balenciaga, Burberry, Michael Kors, Jimmy Choo, Alexander McQueen and Partridge Jewellers, plus of course Louis Vuitton. And still more to come!
So, you can see our already fantastic offering just keeps getting better. When you do come visit, please wear your mask and scan in everywhere you go.
Stay safe, and see you here soon.
Mark Knoff-Thomas
