Feilding retailers not expecting spin-offs from New Zealand Grand Prix week

Speed Works promoter Geoff Short expects more than 10,000 punters to turn out this year.

It’s up to Feilding retailers to bring foot traffic to the town’s CBD during the New Zealand Grand Prix, Manawatū’s deputy mayor says.

Fans will flood the region for a weekend of high speed on Saturday and Sunday at Manfeild, but retailers say the action doesn’t move far beyond the track.

The Feilding venue has hosted the Grand Prix since 2008, and Speed Works promoter Geoff Short expected more than 10,000 punters to turn out.

DAVID UNWIN/STUFF

South Street West Motel owner Pauline Sarjeant. The weekend’s event bring more than $15,000 income to her business.

While the town’s motels would have a full house, many restaurants and stores don’t reap the full benefit, deputy mayor Michael Ford said.

Ford believed retailers could work with accommodation providers and event organisers to promote longer opening hours, deals and discounts, in a bid to draw more spectators up the road.

ROBERT KITCHIN/STUFF

Manawatū deputy mayor Michael Ford says families of the enthusiasts break away from the track, but the town’s retailers need to be smarter when attracting them.

If the CBD could attract only 10 per cent of Manfeild’s audience it would still boost business, he said.

“Sometimes partners of the enthusiasts might break away from the track,” Ford said. “It’s up to retailers – the event brings people to the back doorstep – what can you do to attract those customers to your shop?”

Central Economic Development Agency conventions and events executive Phil Hildred said the Grand Prix contributed about $1.2 million to the region last year.

A survey of competitors and spectators showed 45 per cent of the 6000 spectators that attended the two-day event were visitors to Manawatū.

Ad Feedback

The 1200 competitors and crew spent on average $177 a day.

Visiting spectators spent $106 per day, mostly on accommodation, food, entertainment, retail and fuel, Hildred said.

Popular restaurant Amayjen wasn’t booked out over Grand Prix weekend, but owner Jenni May said they typically had a few “walk-ins”.

Focal Point Cinema owner Julie Bell also didn’t have any more bookings than usual.

South Street West Motel owner Pauline Sarjeant was booked out from year to year with both Motorsport NZ officials and Toyota NZ staff. They pre-book after the event for the following year and all bookings roll over.

Sarjeant said the weekend’s event brought more than $15,000 income to her business.

The motel’s reception had maps of the places to eat in Feilding as well as a ‘what to do’ booklet.

“I always talk to the people and say ‘what’s the plan for the day?’.

“Sometimes they say they’re going to Palmerston [North] to go shopping, so you’ve got to point them in the right direction to the stores in Feilding.”

Gracies owner Kerry Gracie said his clothing store didn’t see any increased foot traffic.

He was hoping a display of the Grand Prix race cars in Fergusson St on Friday night would direct some punters his way.

“Most people go to the racing for the racing – it’s not much of a surprise. It’s like us going to the rugby to buy a belt … we’d probably rather go to a bar.”

– Stuff

Source :Stuff.co.nz

Comments

comments

David Martin-Janiak Motorsports has always been a passion for me, I've raced in Karting and now I have my own Motorsports news website, so i can help other racers convey their passion to the world!