Retailers need to step up to make Ashburton more attractive to shoppers rather than relying on the council, a former business association member says.

Ashburton District councillors voted this month to redirect $50,000 from a scrapped learning hub idea into a CBD foot traffic study.

The study aimed to increase the vibrancy in the Mid Canterbury town's central shopping area.

Carol Johns, a former member of the disbanded Ashburton Business Association and event organiser, said resurrecting the association would be a better and cheaper option.

Businesses need to do more than just open their doors and expect people to come in, she said.

“Give the people a reason to want to come to town.

“I don’t think the council is going to be able to do anything to get people up the main street.”

The council voted 6-4 to use the learning hub money to investigate ways to increase the vibrancy of the Ashburton CBD.

It is one of the actions in its economic development strategy aimed at making the Ashburton CBD into a must-visit destination.

“Let the retailers do the work to get people to their shops, it’s not the council’s job," Johns said.

“The businesses need to make the effort.”

Rather than a feasibility study, Johns said reviving the Ashburton Business Association could be the answer.

“We should have never let it close down in the first place.”

The association played a key role in coordinating events and promotions while providing a forum for discussion and ideas, she said.

“It was beneficial, but you need to have the buy-in.”

However, after years of upheaval in the CBD, one retailer says council support remains essential.

Robilliard's Jewellers owner Mark Douglas said that as a retailer, and business ratepayer, he is “thankful for any and all support the council can give us”.

“We didn’t ask for [the study]. It’s something that’s been offered.

“In the long run, a vibrant centre of town is good for the community.”

The CBD had battled over two years of roadworks for the council's $15m town centre upgrade, aggravated by the impacts of Covid lockdowns and restrictions, he said.

At the same time, the retail sector has also been spread out with the addition of big box retail sites outside the CBD, he said.

“I know they are trying to bring that back in, but it’s a little bit after the horse has bolted.”

The vacant Eastfield Precinct, in the heart of the CBD, was key to unlocking the potential of the area, he said.

The site was to feature a Scenic Circle Hotel as part of the $40 million redevelopment, planned for a late 2019 opening, but those plans were abandoned, and it remains a gravel pay-and-display parking area.

“I’m not too sure what the answer is for that space, but it's fabulous CBD space, prime retail, just sitting there.

“How do we build that up but keep it in reach of mum and dad retailers?”

Time for Diamonds staff member Bridget Danielson said the return of a business association or forum was warranted.

“Businesses and council should be working together.”

Danielson also said there was potential in the vacant land in the CBD “rather than extra shops all around the CBD”.

“You need the shops in the CBD to get the foot traffic going there.”

However, she didn’t support suggestions of creating a large shopping mall in the CBD, instead proposing to “fill up what we have first”.

She also said there are perceived parking issues as Ashburton shoppers like to park right outside the shop they want to go.

The study will focus on identifying strategies to attract new business and opportunities, decreasing the vacant buildings in the area, and opportunities for new events to support the hospitality industry, she said.

In a recent council meeting, economic development manager Shelley Donnelly said the feasibility study was aimed at increasing foot traffic in the CBD.

“We need to get together as a town, as a community and invigorate the space”.

By Jonathan Leask