Queenstown has experienced unprecedented growth throughout 2015.
In this environment, where good retail vacancies are hard to come by, Countdown has just opened a 4,200sqm store at 30 Grant Rd.
The event was officially presided over by Queenstown Lakes District mayor, Vanessa Van Uden, and was blessed by the local Iwi, Ngai Tahu.
Representatives from the Salvation Army were also in attendance and were presented with a trolley of food for the local food bank.
Van Uden says it is great to see stage one of the Five Mile development open for business after months of anticipation.
“The opening of Countdown Queenstown isn’t just about having a new supermarket – it’s a big step forward for the area’s economy. Having companies like Countdown invest in our region sends a strong message to others that Queenstown is a great place to do business.”
Clutha-Southland MP, Todd Barclay, who also spoke at the event, says the jobs created by the new store and the surrounding development will be a real boost to the area.
“As Queenstown continues to grow, it’s great to see more businesses opening up and offering increased opportunities for employment, particularly permanent roles. This new store alone is providing more than 80 new jobs to the region, which will be a great boost for Queenstown,” he says.
Countdown’s MD, Pat McEntee, says the new store will be giving the Queenstown locals much more choice than they have had until now.
The new generation store has been designed with Countdown’s latest design features and includes wider aisles, a more expansive fresh produce department and energy efficient fittings and equipment as well as a full production bakery department.
In addition to locals, Countdown will benefit from tourists as tourist indicators are eclipsing figures from the last three years, with total commercial guest nights tracking to exceed 3.16 million for the year.
Passenger arrivals at Queenstown airport, with its new $17 million terminal, are 24 per cent above 2014 figures, with total passengers for the 12 months from August 2014 to August 2015 at 1,427,641 (up 12.4 per cent) and increased capacity on both international and domestic routes.
