Call for calm amid Art Centre food truck plan fury

Thursday, 3 October 2024

Christchurch business leaders voice opposition to Arts Centre food truck plan

An industry leader has called for unity in Christchurch’s business community after dozens of business owners and employees called on the city council to cut the Art Centre’s funding.

“We’re a really small city. Conversations should be had before we start signing petitions. Everyone understands the need for a vibrant central city,” Leeann Watson, head of Business Canterbury, said.

CBD businesses are feeling attacked by the Arts Centre Trust’s vision to create a daily food truck market, describing it as a “kick in the guts” and “slap in the face”.

Central city businesses are feeling attacked by the Arts Centre Trust’s vision to create a daily food truck market, with up to 25 vendors.

Annabel Turley, head of the Central City business Association (CCBA), presented a petition to councillors on Wednesday, saying businesses that had struggled to stay afloat during one of the “harshest winters in recent memory” were angry and concerned about competition from food trucks, which were cheaper to run.

Petition signatory Craig Ling, owner of the Little Fiddle Irish pub on Oxford Tce, says the Art Centre didn’t have food trucks 100 years ago.

The feelings were exacerbated by the fact business owners were technically subsidising the Arts Centre through rates, as the council agreed to give the centre $5.5 million over the next decade. It should be one or the other, petitioners argued.

While mayor Phil Mauger agreed it was unfair on people who had invested in permanent businesses and buildings, councillor Sara Templeton argued the Arts Centre was just doing what the council had told it to: find alternative ways to become financially sustainable.

The Arts Centre Trust wants to host up to 25 food trucks every day, for up to 12 hours a day. Council staff are still processing the request.

Centre director Philip Aldridge sees the plan as a needed - and complementary - expansion of the current food offerings, but the 78 people - representing about 70 businesses - who signed the CCBA’s petition felt otherwise.

Annabel Turley (central city business assocation) and Richard Peebles (Riverside Market owner) say businesses were angry and concerned about the Arts Centre food trucks having an unfair advantage.

Turley, accompanied by Riverside Market owner Richard Peebles, told councillors it would be “a permanent encroachment on the livelihoods of businesses that have invested their blood, sweat, and dollars into this city”.

“And it sends a dangerous message: Why pour your heart into a permanent business when you can just pop up a caravan and cash in?”

She said it was not just about unfair competition, but told The Press “it’s also about preserving the Art Centre, so it stays lovely like it is”.

Leeann Watson, head of Business Canterbury, calls for the hospitality industry to work together, not fight. (File photo)

Turley said she had not reached out to the Arts Centre to discuss concerns before creating the petition, but would at some point.

Aldridge disagreed that food trucks would diminish the centre’s cultural and historical value.

“This is a community centre and food trucks have been at the Arts Centre for decades. At least seven of the food businesses at Riverside had their roots at the Arts Centre. Our offerings are complementary,” he said.

Peebles, who created Riverside Market and Little High Eatery, suggested to councillors that if developers knew their investments would be undermined, they may not have bothered.

He said some businesses might decide to ditch their shops and set up a food truck, because it was easier and cheaper.

Arts Centre director Philip Aldridge sees the food truck plan as a needed - and complementary - expansion of the current food offerings.

“The question is, what’s best for the city? It’s not just the Arts Centre,” he said.

Business Canterbury head Leeann Watson she was not surprised businesses were concerned, but called for collaboration.

She said Business Canterbury could help bring the industry together to talk about solutions and maybe see the Arts Centre’s vision as an opportunity.

Petition signatories want the Arts Centre to focus on supporting artists, cultural initiatives and unique businesses “that align with its historic and aesthetic values”.

Craig Ling, owner of Little Fiddle Irish pub on Oxford Tce, said: “It’s the Arts Centre, for god’s sake. It’s got beauty and history; they didn't have food trucks 100 years ago.”

But Templeton said the Arts Centre had been directly tasked by the city council to look outside the box in order to become financially sustainable. It would be “a bit rich” for council to interfere with that.

“The food trucks are owned and operated by local residents who are also looking to making a living and feed their families and I wouldn’t like to prioritise one business over another,” she said.

At this stage, elected members have no say over the future of the Arts Centre’s resource consent. The council is not obligated to act on petitions.