October 2 , 2009

Next Blue Bin collections
Oct 8 + 22

Parnell Inc members get Graffiti removed for
FREE! Ph 579 3256

 
 

Parnell networking next Tuesday
At Digital Mobile opposite Heard Park

Parnell Inc. members are warmly invited to next Tuesday's business networking event, to be hosted by Digital Mobile, Parnell's Vodafone store at 177 Parnell Road from 5.30 - 7.30pm.

There will not only be drinks and nibbles after a hard day's work but also giveaways from a well known phone manufacturer, spot prizes during the event and also a draw for a Bluetooth Carkit at the end of the night.

Come and join the Digital Mobile team next Tuesday - it's a great way to network, meet new people and see some of the latest mobile devices on the market.

Tuesday November 3, from 12 noon onwards
Iguacu. 269 Parnell Road. www.
 

More Council craziness: pay parking to 10pm
Night Pay & Display not needed in Parnell!

After having its daft Liquor Licensing Policy Council ousted this week, Council is likely to get soundly chastised once again - this time for wanting to extend Pay & Display parking hours in the CBD, with Parnell next in line. The new regime is designed to give evening visitors a better chance at competing for car parks assumed to be taken overnight by nearby residents.

Here's Council's rationale:
Auckland City Council's proposal to extend on-street Pay and Display operating hours to 10pm in the CBD is designed to give a helping hand to the city's retail, hospitality and entertainment businesses by improving the public's access to on-street parking.

The proposal is designed to assist evening visitors to find an available on-street park. On-street Pay and Display parking in the CBD's busiest streets between 6pm and 10pm would be available at half the normal tariff, with no restriction on the length of time you park for.


Here's Parnell Inc's response:
We don't think for a minute that Parnell has a problem with residents parking along Parnell Road at night.

Council has counted the number of empty car parks during Parnell Road's dinner rush and, because more than 85% of spaces were occupied, thinks we have a problem. No: the car parks are full because Parnell's restaurants are full! That's not a problem for local businesses! (And Parnell has more than enough inexpensive private car park spaces for the people that miss out on a free one for their night out.)

We all know that people like free car parks, when they can find one. Start charging for parking along Parnell Road until 10pm and, even though on-street parking may still be small change, potential diners may well complain - and go elsewhere. Parnell's restaurants and bars don't want this.

We've heard that Council is already scoring well above the suburban average revenue from Parnell's Pay & Display meters. We don't want Parnell's successful night time economy threatened by the same woolly Council thinking seen in the ousted draft Liquor License, with its thoughtless unintended consequences for business.

Extending Pay & Display hours is not going to improve chances of getting an on-street car park. It will only aggravate people, have more people get tickets because they are unaware of the new rules, cost Auckland ratepayers money in re-calibrating Pay & Display machines and in the end, only benefit Council as a revenue generator.

Aucklanders are invited to have a say on the proposal. Feedback is wanted by 5pm, Friday October 16. The survey does not spell out that Parnell is potentially next in line for late night Pay & Display madness. Should Council decide to move on Parnell next, further consultation will happen at a local level.





We want the Mountain Fountain in Parnell
And we want your support: go online today!

please do go online and let Council know that Holy Trinity Cathedral in Parnell should become the new home for Terry Stringer's Mountain Fountain - not the other contender, Selwyn Reserve at Mission Bay!

But be quick - your views are needed by THIS Sunday October 4th at the Auckland City Council website here: www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/council/projects/mountainfountain

As you can read on PArnell's website, there are many other excellent reasons for re-siting the sculpture in Parnell, rather than in Mission Bay.

Please go online and let Council know we want this sculpture in Parnell! And enlist others too - make sure everyone in your office goes online to ensure Parnell gets its first major piece of public art. It will look wonderful!








Back to drawing board for Liquor Policy
But feedback still wanted by October 7

Council's daft Liquor Licensing Policy met with huge protest from licensed premises across Auckland. While Parnell Road, as a designated "entertainment area" was in a privileged position, the proposed policy would still have hit restaurants especially in the pocket with a requirement for any premises licensed to serve alcohol after 1am to provide security services from 11pm to an hour after closing. Meanwhile, licensed premises elsewhere in Parnell would have been hit with the deathstar conditions that had many business owners up in arms at Monday's meeting of hospitality industry representatives.

While the draft is going back to the drawing board, Council is still inviting submissions to the Draft policy - and we suggest that licensed premises should speak up: Council will be referring to this feedback when it tries to get it right next time around!

Submissions close 5pm October 7th. You can view the policy on the Auckland City Council's website here and make a submission online here.
 

Red Brick Cafe & Bar opens
Old York Street Bar gets a major makeover

Parnell has another wonderful new bar-restaurant: the Red Brick Kitchen & Bar, at 46 Parnell Road - the corner of Earle Street, opened yesterday!

Formerly known as the York Street Bar, the heritage-listed building has had a complete makeover by new owners, Mike & Carla Swan - who established the thriving Citron Vert café at 129 Parnell Road , three years ago, following 10 years running bars and restaurants in England .

It's taken a year to get the various consents required and make renovations, which include the addition of an outdoor dining area. Originally built in the 1860s, the Red Brick Kitchen & Bar retains the heritage and charm of the building, while creating a fresh and appealing new ambiance.

"We've created a welcoming and relaxing environment with meals priced to become your weekly local," Carla says. "All mains are under $30. Mike has hand-picked the wine list and small plates and platters can be ordered at the bar for $12."

Welcome Johanna Wegner
Interning at Parnell Inc. until mid-December

Parnell Inc is fortunate to have another wonderful German intern to help out with various projects. Expect to see Johanna out and about in Parnell. One of her first tasks will be updating our database and member website listings, so don't be surpised if you hear from her!!

German businesses like to employ new graduates who have already gained some experience in the business world. Parnell's KAPLAN Aspect language school attracts large numbers of students, who come to improve their English and then practice it in a business setting. If your business is interested in employing an intern, please email Kate Gomm at the school.


And now, here's Johanna introducing herself:

Hello everybody!

My name is Johanna Wegner and I come from a little town in Bavaria, Germany. I'm studying Sociology at University of Bamberg and already have my intermediate diploma. I'm here in New Zealand to both improve my English and to do an internship for my studies.

I've started working with Debbie Harkness at Parnell Inc. this week and I'll be here for the next 11 weeks, until the 18th of December.
After my internship here in Auckland I will go to the South Island.
Before I finally go back to Germany in March, I will travel to Australia, Japan and Great Britain.

I look forward to meeting you soon.
Johanna
 

Parking changes to Birdwood Cres
Sensible moves following consultation

Council recently sought - and listened to - feedback from property owners and occupiers of Birdwood Crescent regarding on-street parking restrictions. As a result, some sensible changes should be implemented by the end of November:

- The existing taxi stand at the corner of upper Birdwood Cres, beside Pandoro Panetteria is to be relocated to lower Birdwood Cres, beside the Parnell Village Workshop. This brings taxis closer to the shopping area where visitors might need them.

- The spaces vacated by the old taxi rank will be changed to P30 parking time restriction from Monday to Sunday from 8am - 6pm.

- The existing Tourist Bus Stop outside the Knox Church will be shortened to create one additional car parking space.

Residents who lobbied against the two-hour time restriction proposed by Council, will be pleased that this will not be implemented.

If you have any queries about these changes, please contact Alok Vashista at Council's Parking group, on 379 2020.




Parnell Gallery theft
Do you recognise this man?

A thief stole a +$4,000 sculpture from Parnell Gallery at 9.34am on September 24. With a probably stolen white Toyota Corolla get-away car waiting across the road, the man pictured at left, was in the gallery for only a matter of seconds. Gallery owner, Sally Souness had opened the gallery and just popped upstairs when she heard the door chime. Although she ran downstairs and across the road in pursuit, it was too late.

If you recognise this man, please call Sally on 377 3133.
 
Rodney Hide: Super City's impact on Parnell
Parnell Community Committee AGM, October 6

Rodney Hide, MP, is the guest speaker at the Parnell Community Committee's AGM, to be held on Tuesday October 6 at the Visitors Centre in the Cloisters, Holy Trinity Cathedral from 7pm.

Rodney continues to advocate for Parnell in his role as MP for Epsom. However his attention has more recently been focused on his duties as Minister of Local Govt, and the creation of the Auckland 's Super City . At the PCC's AGM, he will give an update on Super City and what will it mean for Parnell.

As seating at the venue is limited, tickets are restricted to 100 people. RSVP to drcb@xtra.co.nz or phone Roger Cole Baker on 309 5865 

 
Parnell Festival of Roses 2009
Featuring Parnell Road Market Day, 31st October

Council plans for the Parnell Festival of Roses are well underway with a terrific line up of activities and performances at the Gladstone Road Rose Gardens including a Shona Laing concert, open-air movie "La Vie en Rose", tea dances and a Fashion Show featuring fashions from Parnell boutiques.

Parnell Inc. will also be organising the now-traditional Market Day for Saturday 31 October. So, retailers, start thinking about what you might like to put on sale - or buy in specially for the event! We'll be taking orders for roses and trestle tables in mid-October. Meantime, if you have any queries, please email info@parnell.net.nz

 

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

Debbie Harkness
Parnell Inc. Manager
259a Parnell Road
debbie@parnell.net.nz
p. 379 0606
f. 379 0953
m. 027 601 0641

About Parnell Inc. If your business lies within Parnell Inc.'s boundary area (Parnell Road & Rise, and some adjacent side streets) you are automatically a member of Parnell Inc. and paying 1.38% of your general rate towards this organisation. See here for more information on Parnell Inc.

Vision: Through its three-year strategic plan, Parnell Inc. is working to achieve the following vision:
...Parnell is marketed effectively as a thriving retail and hospitality centre and is the preferred central city location for up-and-coming businesses.
... Parnell's owner operated stores, its galleries and restaurants are renowned for providing a high-quality and unique experience in a setting that maintains an authentic charm. They consistently attract local and overseas visitors back to Parnell, time after time. For other businesses, the vibrant yet relaxed village atmosphere, together with transport convenience and access to a full range of professional services, makes Parnell an ideal central city location.
...Parnell is an exciting place to visit and satisfies the curiosity and intrigue of its visitors with elements of delight and surprise.

Executive Committee: Parnell Inc.'s activities are determined by a committee of members. Any of them would be happy to talk with you, tell you more about the area and hear your comments or suggestions. Our committee is:

Simon Glasgow
Sarah Hutchings
Carrick Graham (Dep. Chair)
Sherryn Mehta
Rory MacDonald (Chair)
Athol McQuilkan
Miles Nathan
Christopher Swasbrook (Treas.)
Nick Travaglia

Mövenpick | 155 Parnell Road | Email
Orsini Fine Jewellery | 243 Parnell Road | 354 3115 | Email
 CGL Group | Level 1, 159 Parnell Road | 373 4049 | Email
Mink Cafe | 99 Parnell Road | 377 7059 | Email
MacDonald Pilcher Partnership| 92 Parnell Road | 307 3324 | Email
Kilberry Associates | 77 Parnell Road | 368 9310 | Email
Nathan Investment Group | 11C Augustus Terrace |309 5585 | Email
Elevation Capital Management | 330 Parnell Road | 307 6741 | Email
Self Assured Insurances | Lvl1/159 Parnell Road | 379 0040 | Email


Parnell Inc. member services: Graffiti Removal . Weekly email newsletter . Wednesday Night Security Patrol . Monthly B2B Buzzes . Shoplifter Text Alerts . Speed Dating for Businesses .
Parnell Inc. provides these ongoing services for members. To learn more go here or contact Parnell Inc. for further information: info@parnell.net.nz or phone 379 0606.

This email is sent to you by Parnell Inc, Parnell's business association, because you are either a member of Parnell Inc., or you have an interest in the organisation or the area. If you do not wish to receive these occasional communications, please unsubscribe here. Click here to subscribe to this email newsletter.


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