Connings pop-up pops up

​Locally-grown food and 35 new jobs have made their way to Nelson’s city centre thanks to a leasing agreement between Connings Food Market and Nelson City Council.

The Connings pop-up shop opened at its Council-owned Achilles Avenue site last week and has already proved popular with shoppers.

"This is a positive boost for our city centre after a tough winter," says Nelson Mayor Nick Smith.

"This development has created 35 new jobs, is good for our health with easier access to locally grown fresh fruit and veges, is good for the environment with fewer people having to drive out to Appleby for these products and it's good news for the revitalisation of our city centre."

Council’s agreement with Connings includes the option to buy the Achilles Avenue site so it can be turned into a permanent food market.

"30% of our customers come from Nelson, so it makes sense for us to come to them instead," says Simon Conning.

Chair of the City Revitalisation Taskforce Deputy Mayor Rohan O’Neill-Stevens says the food market fits perfectly with Council’s plans to stimulate Nelson’s city centre.

“The new shop’s not far from the Rutherford Street end of Bridge Street, which is due for a significant upgrade as part of the Bridge to Better project. You can already feel a bit of a buzz about this part of the city – in a couple of years it will be almost unrecognisable.

"Over time, Council has strategically purchased property throughout the city and on the waterfront as part of a strategy to increase housing capacity, improve our links from the city to the sea and revitalise our city centre. This is a great example of that strategy succeeding."

Council recently called for Expressions of Interest on several City Centre sites that it owns, including the Bridge Street bus interchange, the old Refinery building, 42 Rutherford Street, and Civic House itself.

"We’ve had some really interesting and promising offers that are still commercially confidential. I’m looking forward to being able to say more but they will all add significant value to our city," says Chief Executive Nigel Philpott.

"I’m really proud that Council has been able to move quickly and decisively to provide Connings with the opportunity to set up a Nelson base for their business. Our city needs Council to be urgent and innovative as we all work together to breathe new life into Nelson and this ticks all the boxes."

Most Connings produce is farmed within 8km of its Appleby store.

Simon Conning with staff Amelia Price and Ajo Thomas.