Newspaper Article 1976 – Shopping block has its own “think-tank”

Shopping block has its own “think-tank”

The Centrepoint block in Hastings has its own “think-tank”.

And the wealth of ideas arising from it would make the Government’s economic “think-tank” green with envy.

A significant recent decision was that future promotions be developed to create more of an overall image for the block.

This spirit of togetherness will be achieved by adopting common advertising slogans in every shop, as well as uniform price tickets, hanging decorations and – if costumes are being featured for a particular theme – a common costume for the staff of each shop.

MORE POSITIVE

“This will be our last promotions using the old format,” the president and “thinker-in-chief” of Centrepoint promotions, Mr Mel Page said of tomorrows campaign.

“We will be more positive with our themes – the whole block will reflect the theme.”

Because of some past disappointment, the committee has also a signed contract to ensure that street entertainments such as a ferris wheel and merry-go-round are provided on a regular basis.

The idea is to have the Ferris wheel at one end of the block in Heretaunga Street and a merry-go-round at the other to provide an attraction for the children and to enhance the carnival atmosphere for which the block is famed.

Greater Hastings and other promotional groups will be invited to take part in some of the campaigns, to add to the number of entertainments, while giving them a chance to raise funds.

“As a retail organisation, we have the equipment and the entire set-up, so the whole of the community can be involved,” said Mr Page.

Centrepoint – bounded by Queen, Eastbourne and Russell Streets and Karamu Road – was set up in October 1973. The organisers collected levies from shops in the area for the promotion of goods and services in the block.

The popularity of its in-store block market days exceeded the highest hopes.

WESTERN DAY

Charitable organisations – such as the Society for the Intellectually Handicapped for whom pony rides were held during a Western day last year – have benefited from the promotions.

“We try to back any Hastings promotion where co-operation from both sides can be achieved,” said Mr Graeme Mills, a member of the committee.

“We feel the block has succeeded with its promotions because of the wide selection of goods available.”

There are many ideas bubbling away in the melting pot for bigger and better promotions.

The committee also wants to brighten the Centrepoint archway which transverses Heretaunga Street and may seek ideas from the public.

Photo caption – MR MEL PAGE, the president of Centrepoint Promotions, adjusting the tape recorder which is the source of the block’s new $3050 under-veranda music system.