[COM] Rundle Mall Redevelopment | $30m

[monotonehell]

Carousels, street art, different style of pavers or relocating kiosks is not going to make that much of a difference - what will draw in people is open shops, lots of them, bright lights, music and - most of all - lots of people. How do you get that? Deregulate shop hours, lower/remove costs and unnecessary regulations and encourage activities when there is not much happening there.

Just picking on one point here; You know Rundle Mall's shopping hours are pretty much deregulated. From what I understand all the traders in the Mall can trade up to 9pm most nights. This year the council tried to get them to open until 7pm. Some of them did it for a few weeks. Now all but the majors have given up on it. The majority of stores still close at 5:30, with some going until 6:00. Arrive at the Mall after 6pm and it's full of people and buskers most nights, but the stores have found it's just not worth staying open. Even the majors have very few staff on, try to buy something in Myer's or DJ's after 6pm, you have to walk all over to find some one to take your money.

[AtD]

^ Monday to Wednesday I agree with you, there's no demand. But Thursday to Sunday there is often plenty of people around past the usual closing time. 5pm on weekends is simply too early with the long summer days on their way.

If they were deregulated and no stores chose to remain open, so be it. No harm done.

I just find it annoying when people point to the fact that few shops are open til 9pm on Tuesday and conclude there's no need for them to be open at 6pm on a Saturday.

[crawf]

It's nearly 2012, it's time to join the 21st century by deregulate all trading hours.

The councils decision was the right one, it should be up to the trader if they wish to remain open to later time. Not some biased council or political members more concerned about putting their own views or a certain union before the good people of Adelaide.

This is one issue that I would vote Liberal for in 2014, because hopefully they will end this backward nonsense and wipe the smirk of Peter Malinauskas. Or this new Coles & Kmart will face the crazy 12am-9pm (close for 3 hours) and then reopen at midnight Mon>Fri... but close 5pm on a Saturday and Sunday, with a 11am opening on that day. Confusing much?

As for public holidays, if the State Government is committed on making Adelaide a vibrant tourist destination, then they must declare the CBD a 'tourist zone' similar to Glenelg. That way traders can open on selected public holidays which will give the impression to tourists and locals that our city is vibrant and alive. Plus more $$$ to our city economy.

[relapse]

^ Monday to Wednesday I agree with you, there's no demand. But Thursday to Sunday there is often plenty of people around past the usual closing time. 5pm on weekends is simply too early with the long summer days on their way.

If they were deregulated and no stores chose to remain open, so be it. No harm done.

I just find it annoying when people point to the fact that few shops are open til 9pm on Tuesday and conclude there's no need for them to be open at 6pm on a Saturday.

Glad someone else is of this mindset as well.

Saturday night trading in the Mall would be a great move and I am surprised that no-one in power has come up with the idea yet. I would even support exchanging Friday night trading in the Mall to Saturdays.

Friday night trading isnt enticing for working parents whereas Saturday night trading on the other hand would IMO actually bring people into the city. I know personally I would be a regular for shopping in the city on a Saturday evening and the flow on to the food courts on Saturday evenings would be huge.

It would also give the mall something unique over the suburban malls.

[monotonehell]

I'm not against complete deregulation. Just don't be surprised if most of the shops chose to continue with the current hours. Even in places where shops can trade when ever most seem to settle on 10am-6pm everyday.

[[Shuz]]

I really wish that most shops would open later and close later, 10-6pm, or later. Other than those who get the paper and a coffee, I actually don't know of anyone who does their 'errands' in the mornings. Everyone tends to do it at either lunch time, or if they have the option to, after work.

For me, as someone who works and plays in the city the vast bulk of my time, it really inconviniences and annoys me that I have to do all my errands on my lunchbreaks, and I can't do them after work as many shops close at 5, incidentally right when I finish work! Lunchbreaks are exactly that, to take a break, and have lunch. I shouldn't have to be running around town to get my banking or Medicare or gift-shopping done in that time.

[Waewick]

I'd like to see deregulation - would make it a bit easier for people like shuz.

however there needs to be a method in the madness

[crawf]

The one thing that would make me truly happy is to see supermarkets remain open to 9pm/midnight 7 days a week with some 24/7 supermarkets. 5pm closing on the weekend is extremely inconvenient for people who are time poor and very embarrassing for Adelaide's image. There are other options like IGA and On The Run, though most of the time they have limited choice which is sometimes double or even triple the price compared to the major chains.

Extended supermarket hours would benefit the entire metropolitan area, though the Adelaide CBD would benefit the most with extra night-time activity around Rundle Mall, Grenfell and Grote Streets.

[metro]

Im all for deregulation, needs to happen soon. The city shops open until 19:00 on weekdays is good but needs to happen on weekends too, friday and sat evenings it should be until 21:00.

This is one issue that I would vote Liberal for in 2014.

Yeah dont count on them doing it, they had from 1993 until 2002 to do so and they didnt.

[pushbutton]

I'm clearly n the minority but for me one of the best things about Adelaide compared to many other cities (in Australia and elsewhere) is that the shops open and close at reasonably civilised times.

It means people who work in shops and shopping centres are guaranteed to be able to spend time with family and friends on public holidays and not have to work very late at night (especially on weekends).

It means that people who don't work in shops are also more likely to spend time with family or friends at the above times because the shops are closed.

It keeps traffic down a little bit during those times the shops are closed.

Overall in my hunble opinion it just makes the city a bit more civilised and relaxed.

I work 9.5 Monday to Friday but I consider that I have ample time for shopping. I can do my supermarket shopping and now even shop at Kmart until 9pm any weeknight, and for shopping in other shops I have all weekend long! Let's remember that all shops are already allowed to open till 9pm weeknights, but most chose not to.

As for public holidays, I'll just simply say the whole point is that almost nobody (except essential / emergency services) should have to work.

Just in case anyone is confused as to the meaning, retail is NOT an essential service. Well it sort of is essential, but it's certainly not essential that they are open on public holidays.

Also for the record, shops don't open on public holidays even in many much bigger and more densely populated cities than Adelaide. Check it out if you don't believe me!

I am baffled by the argument the Advertiser keeps making, that suppsedly people come over from interstate every public holiday and head straight for the malls! Why on earth would they do that? It's not like Adelaides shopping malls are better than those interstate. If people come here from interstate I am sure in most cases it's to see relatives or friends, or just for a change of scenery and to see what South Australia is all about. (Hopefully it's not all about 24 hour shopping)!

As much as I enjoy it there's more to life than shopping, so let's all just enjoy our peace and quiet in the evenings and on public holidays!

[[Shuz]]

Are you a member of the SDA?

[Will]

Are you a member of the SDA?

There are many people who do not feel it is necessary to shop 24/7, 365 days of the year.

[Dylan_]

If there is enough demand from shoppers for shops to be able to make a profit on public holidays, even while paying 2.5 or triple time, surely they should be able to open?

I have plenty of uni student friends working in retail, and every single one of them would love to be able to make $50 an hour working on a public holiday. As long as it's voluntary, I don't see an issue.

[AtD]

There are many people who do not feel it is necessary to shop 24/7, 365 days of the year.

No one is asking for mandatory 24hr trading.

[crawf]

Are you a member of the SDA?

There are many people who do not feel it is necessary to shop 24/7, 365 days of the year.

Shuz makes a good point, it's exactly what the SDA used to harp on about when I worked for Woolies a couple of years ago.

I am baffled by the argument the Advertiser keeps making, that suppsedly people come over from interstate every public holiday and head straight for the malls! Why on earth would they do that? It's not like Adelaides shopping malls are better than those interstate. If people come here from interstate I am sure in most cases it's to see relatives or friends, or just for a change of scenery and to see what South Australia is all about. (Hopefully it's not all about 24 hour shopping)!

As much as I enjoy it there's more to life than shopping, so let's all just enjoy our peace and quiet in the evenings and on public holidays!

It's been estimated that 80% of visitors that come to Adelaide, visit Rundle Mall at least once on their journey. A big percentage would be during public holidays, not only from interstate, but many from regional areas.

Which is not hard to believe, as that's where majority of the accommodation is located. Aswell as entertainment, restaurants, tourist attractions, public transport services and ofcourse our premier shopping precinct. The Adelaide CBD should be treated as a tourist precinct, just like every other city around the country - including Perth.