Sales signal more progress for Christchurch mall

Monday, 22 December 2025

Shoppers at the Bishopdale Shopping Centre.

More transformation is ahead for the Bishopdale shopping centre in Christchurch, with two new investments in the area.

Established hospitality operators the Vieceli family have bought the Harewood Tavern business, and property investors and developers Sio Ltd have bought the premises of the New World supermarket opposite.

In July the former Mitre 10 store - built in the 1970s as a Farmers department store and vacant for more than a decade - was sold. Its new owners, Toru Hou Ltd, are strengthening the building and refurbishing it for new tenants including Snap Fitness and a medical centre.

A new landlord has plans to add more tenancies alongside the New World supermarket.

Sio Ltd bought the supermarket in an off-market deal from another local investor for close to $10 million, and will continue to lease it to Foodstuffs, who own the New World brand.

It is understood Sio Ltd wants to expand the building and add new tenancies alongside the supermarket, but director James Stringer said it was too early to give details.

A spokesperson for Foodstuffs South Island said they are “pleased there is a new landlord who is committed to the future of Bishopdale Mall and excited about the prospect of potential future development plans and what that means for New World Bishopdale and our customers”.

Stringer said their purchase, and those of the former Mitre 10 and the tavern, are “definitely signalling a new start and renewed investment in the Bishopdale area”.

Bishopdale was at last “getting a new lease of life”, he said.

“The mall needs investment, and it has been lacking it for a long time.”

Tavern Harewood is being taken over by new owners, the Vieceli family.

Sio Ltd shares directors in common with Box 112, a development company which specialised in central Christchurch heritage developments before winding up earlier this year. The new company has a wider investment focus on the South Island.

Stringer said they have “a huge amount of confidence in Christchurch, and it’s really exciting to see the way it it going”.

Louis Vieceli, a director of Vieceli Hospitality Ltd which is owned by two generations of the family, said they are delighted to be taking over Tavern Harewood, which is part of the Bishopdale shopping area.

Work under way on the former Mitre 10 building, which is being converted for new tenants.

The company already owns Amazonita, Delilah, and Bangalore Polo Club on The Terrace in the central city, One Good Horse and The Turf in Parklands, and the Avonhead Tavern in Avonhead.

Vieceli said the central city and suburbs are different hospitality markets.

“That’s why Harewood is really appealing. The suburbs, if you do it right, can just chug along nicely, whereas town is a bit more up and down, depending on things like the weather.”

He said they are not about to make major changes at Harewood, but might plan a refresh and some changes to the courtyard next year.

“We are really keen to get to know the locals and find out what they are interested in seeing. We’re not going to push in and upset people by making changes.”

Vieceli said the mall area “needs some TLC, and it will be great to get some new businesses in and push Bishopdale along a bit”.

“The Mitre 10 building has sat empty for quite some time, and it will be great to get a refresh there.

“There are some awesome times ahead for Christchurch, with the new stadium and sports facility opening. We’re looking forward to next year and getting more people coming to the city.”