Hastings District Council has announced a brand new retail complex for will be built on vacant land in Flaxmere.
The complex, which will include a new generation New World supermarket and retail shops, will be built by Foodstuffs North Island on land adjacent to Swansea Road.
Hastings Mayor, Sandra Hazlehurst (pictured, centre) said a new supermarket for Flaxmere had been on the community’s wish list for years, and now the time had come.
“The timing couldn’t be better – Flaxmere is set to grow over coming years with all the new homes being built, and it sits within the wider strategy we have for our Fabulous Flaxmere that’s been in motion over the past 10 years – its housing, amenities, facilities and parks.”
“This has already included the complete rebuild of the playground in the award-winning Flaxmere Park, followed by a refresh three years ago, and upgrades of the swimming pool complex, community centre and two smaller playgrounds.
“It’s Flaxmere’s time – we’re delighted the day has come that we can announce a new-much needed supermarket is on its way.”
She said that over recent months, Foodstuffs North Island and Council had been negotiating the sale of the vacant one-hectare commercially-zoned lot, which followed 10 years of council engaging with the community and testing the market with potential supermarket operators.
Flaxmere councillors, Henare O’Keefe and Peleti Oli said the desire to have a new supermarket for Flaxmere had been talked about for many years.
“It’s great to now be able to give the community something tangible – with all the challenges of COVID, this is an encouraging and inspiring development,” Mr O’Keefe said.
Foodstuffs North Island chief executive, Chris Quin said the company had made a commitment to be ‘Here for NZ’ and that included a promise to support local communities to thrive.
“It’s been a privilege to be a part of the Flaxmere community and we’re proud and excited to be investing in its future and people by building a new generation New World and retail complex. We’re delighted to be delivering on our promise to this community to be Here for NZ in this way.”
New World stores are 100% New Zealand owned and operated, with store owners and their teams having the flexibility to cater to the specific needs of their locality, he said.
“Providing great value, amazing fresh food and excellent customer service is our top priority. Flaxmere is a busy and diverse community, so we’ll be putting a lot of thought into making sure we have all the right things in the store, at the right prices and ready to go, whatever the need or occasion,” Mr Quin said.
He said next generation New World stores were being built to last and with sustainability in mind. Alongside the latest natural gas CO2 refrigeration and LED lighting, the Flaxmere store design will make the best use of natural light and have low energy fixtures and fittings, including low embodied energy glass (meaning all processes in its production use as little energy as possible) are used throughout.
At 1900sqm, the brand new New World will be larger than the nearby existing store, which is currently leased from third party landlords. The new store will provide employment and career opportunities for up to 80 locals including experts in fresh foods, produce, butchery, bakery, seafood and deli, Mr Quin said.
The retail complex is expected to be up and running by mid-2024.
