Tenants finally signing up for old Mitre 10 site at Christchurch’s Bishopdale Mall
Saturday, 15 November 2025
Christchurch’s Bishopdale Village Mall is set to welcome new tenants at the long-empty Mitre 10 site, injecting fresh life into a building that has stood vacant for more than a decade.
Toru Hoa Ltd, directed by Paul Fitzsimmons and Harry van Tongeren, bought the 1560m² property - which housed Farmers before Mitre 10 - from previous owner Doug Spencer in July. The site is undergoing structural strengthening and a major facelift.
“Right now we're strengthening the building to 67%,” Fitzsimmons said.
“The original Farmers building from the 1970s has sat empty for over a decade. We are looking for someone to fill 250m² with retail frontage and unlimited car parks, as well as a 180m² office space [upstairs].”
The project aims to attract “a mix of tenants”, Fitzsimmons said.
Snap Fitness is confirmed to take 700m², with operations “expected to begin at the start of the second quarter next year”. A medical centre will occupy the other side of the building. About 250m² in the centre has been earmarked for retail.
“We've got five people that have put in registered interest in the space, but we haven't accepted any yet.”
The facelift will feature a modern all-glass frontage, removal of old concrete panels, and new cladding. Two-storey offices at the back will have a private entrance, and a 110kW solar system is being installed to improve energy efficiency.
He was seeking council support to redo the courtyard, describing the existing yellow-and-orange pavers as “very dated”.
Fitzsimmons, who also owns Fitz Consulting — the main contractor carrying out the work — said he was eager to see the building revitalised.
“I can’t wait to bring this tired building back to life and give a boost to the Bishopdale community.”
Renovations began just a few weeks ago, with completion expected by mid next year.
National MP for Ilam Hamish Campbell, who shared the redevelopment news on Facebook last week, said he was pleased to see progress in the area.
“I have fond memories of the mall from my childhood, and as the local MP, it’s great to see new life being breathed into it,” he said.
“The level of interest I have received from a variety of businesses has been incredible… This revitalisation is positive for the entire mall, as it will attract more people and create a vibrant community hub.”
Susan Smith has run her florist business next to the former Mitre 10 building for 28 years.
“[The site] has been an eyesore, but it’s a very stable mall. People come here because they want to shop, not just to look. This redevelopment will be a bonus — it’ll be really good,” she said.
Kam Currey, who has worked at Peter Timbs Meats Bishopdale for eight years, echoed the sentiment.
“It’s going to bring in a lot more customers. Seeing something new and fancy go in will be great for the area. The huge car park makes it easy for people to come in — it’s never been full.”
Currey said the butchery’s main customers are elderly residents from nearby rest homes, but younger shoppers also visit.
“It’s such a prime location — people come from Burnside, Bishopdale, Casebrook, even Belfast. Having this mix of businesses will make the mall even better,” he said.
Smeeksha Gaba, co-owner of Giftware, which she has run for four months, said the mall already attracts shoppers who come specifically to browse.
“This is the best location for the retail market. The new tenants in the old Mitre 10 site will definitely bring more traffic. Having fitness, medical services, and retail together creates a hub — it’s positive for everyone.”
The site, which Mitre 10 occupied after Farmers vacated its purpose-built store, has been largely empty since Mitre 10 moved to Harewood Rd in 2016.
Retailers in the mall previously said the building has long held back the area’s potential. Some said the old building was “dangerous”, a “waste of space” and “terrible”.
Bishopdale Village Mall has been in the community since the 1960s, once hosting stores including Whitcoulls, travel agents, a bank, Ara tertiary education, and Farmers.
When Farmers vacated its purpose-built premises, Mitre 10 moved in, continuing to bring foot traffic and customers to the area.
The site, spanning about 1560m², is on the northern edge of the Bishopdale Mall, immediately next to a large customer car parking area.