12 August 2011
Appeal Trust funds project to kick-start retail
The Christchurch Earthquake Appeal Trust has announced an interest-free loan of $3.36 million to the Restart the Heart Trust to establish retail hubs in re-locatable shipping containers in the centre of Christchurch.
Earthquake Appeal Trustee Dr Rod Carr says, “the retail hubs will host displaced businesses and should be operating by the end of October. Retail hubs in the city centre – initially along Cashel Street – will provide a much-needed boost for retail and hospitality businesses in Christchurch.”
This initiative will ‘restart the heart’ of the city by helping to get displaced businesses open and operating sooner than would otherwise be possible. As the city centre is rebuilt, the retail hubs can be relocated to where they are most needed.
Over 65 businesses have registered their interest to take part in the project.
“There is an overwhelming desire by many of these businesses to return to the city as soon as possible,” says Restart the Heart Trust’s spokesperson, Paul Lonsdale.
“By opening for business we want to prove that the heart of the city is on its way to recovery.”
Businesses can still register their interest by contacting brendan@chasecommercial.co.nz
About the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal Trust
The Christchurch Earthquake Appeal Trust is an independent charity registered under the Charities Act of New Zealand. The Trust is responsible for the allocation of the money raised by the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal to support earthquake recovery initiatives.
The Appeal Fund has reached over $97 million in pledged and received funds.
The Trust recently announced:
- $50,000 towards a feasibility study into a temporary ‘cardboard cathedral’
This is in addition to announcements already made for:
- $3.5m to restore playing fields in Christchurch
- $554,000 to Sports Canterbury to establish seven recreation hubs at seven site-sharing schools (all seven are open and operating).
The Trust expects further funding announcements to be made in the coming weeks.
More information: www.quakeappeal.com
