The opening of BurgerFuel in Upper Hutt signals a major step forward and ratifies a scheme put forward by Upper Hutt City Council to encourage new business to the city.

The economic development stimulus package is beginning to gain traction as it provides more and more businesses with access to opportunities in the city.

Council set up the scheme in 2014 as a means of attracting business to the city. Businesses which want to set up in the city can apply for a package which can include grant funding, as well as discounts, and in some cases cost waivers on council services.

“It’s awesome to finally see BurgerFuel open on Main Street with the support of the Upper Hutt City Council,” says GM of BurgerFuel in Australasia, Craig Notman. “The council has a great program in place to assist with the introduction of new businesses to the area, and the BurgerFuel family is very happy to be joining the community. This is the first time we’ve worked with a council that has such a proactive stimulus package for their region.”

The package BurgerFuel was awarded by the council worked out as a combined incentive worth $32,000.

“Besides providing local employment, a retail opportunity such as this is one more reason for local people to shop local,” says council’s business development manager, Phil Gorman. “We are trying to build a momentum that will become self-sustaining. A city centre presence is a step in that direction, building toward the critical mass where supply and demand begin to build on each other.”

BurgerFuel’s new store employs 13 locals. Opening day on Monday saw great support from the local community, with initial reports exceeding owner expectation.

“The first week for our Upper Hutt restaurant has absolutely boomed. We’re stoked with the level of support we’ve had from local residents around our arrival to the area,” says BurgerFuel franchisee, Matt Kingi.

Co-owner of the store, Paul Longley says, “The assistance that council was able to provide with their economic stimulus incentives was the driving factor around setting up in Upper Hutt.”