Edinburgh Street parklets a summery success

Sapeer Mayron Reporter from Franklin County News

Kia ora neighbours,

A trial to switch car parks for outdoor seating on Edinburgh Street in Pukekohe has locals and businesses owners excited about the extra dining space, particularly for summer.

Eke Panuku Development Auckland installed dining tables with umbrellas, plus some benches, in front of Edinburgh St cafes and restaurants after the local businesses asked for help getting extra space for customers.

The team worked with the businesses owners to design the space outside Winner Winner, Hiroba Sushi and Kaos Café. Their work included levelling the space with platforms and installing planter boxes between the dining areas and the traffic.

These new spaces could be made permanent after a short summer trial if the businesses owners and locals want them to say.

Eke Panuku priority location director Richard Davison explained the team used light materials for the trial run but would opt for concrete and quality wood if the community wanted a year-round, permanent option, either in the current location or in other places too.

Permanent installations would be entirely funded by Eke Panuku, he said.

Davison said he and his team took lessons from last years’ trial with one way streets and reduced parking, which they applied to building this trial of outdoor seating.

He said he hopes the new seats go some way to energising the town centre and welcomes interest from other businesses who might be keen on something similar.

At Kaos Cafe on Monday, Dan Harris, Diana and Michele said they were loving the outdoor space, and said they had no trouble parking nearby, rather than right outside the cafe where they were now sitting.

Also on Eke Panuku’s radar is nearby Roulston Park. Consultations around improving the park will begin this month.

Check out these photos of the new development by Eke Panuku below: