A culinary catfight has erupted in Christchurch – over a possible expansion of food trucks in the central city.
The local arts centre wants to give more access to street vendors, but other businesses – who have invested in buildings in the CBD – think it’s unfair.
The Arts Centre Te Matatiki Toi Ora is known for its beautiful heritage buildings. But recently, the council has reduced its funding – prompting it to consider new tenants.
Director Philip Aldridge told 1News allowing new tenants is “one way they can try and pay the bills”.
The centre is applying for consent to expand its current food truck offering to 25 spots, allowing vendors to show up at any time over a 12-hour day, seven days a week.
But some local businesses aren’t happy.
“They just rock up in a food truck. They don’t have to supply toilets, they don’t need building consents, they don’t have to pay the rates – it’s an unfair playing field,” Riverside Market co-owner Richard Peebles said.
Popular food spots like the Riverside complex carry a lot of costs for their owners, while the Arts Centre enjoys some ratepayer funding.
There’s worry that approval of the Arts Centre consent would encourage other businesses to follow suit.
Christchurch Central Business Association chairwoman Annabel Turley said: “Some of them are saying when does it stop? Some of the developers are thinking they’ve got empty land, why don’t they just get 30 caravans and open retail shops on it”.
Opponents support food trucks at weekends and events, but say seven days a week is too much. However, the Arts Centre said the trucks will come and go, providing customers a variety of offerings.
“We’re complementary, and we’re in a slightly different part of the city,” Aldridge said.
“We’ve got a million visitors a year that we need to provide food and drink to, so I see it all as part of the ecosystem of a big city.”
The two sides are far from agreement.
“Do we want the city full of temporary caravans and bohemian parks?” Peebles said.
Aldridge was adamant they are “all serving the end consumer extremely well – and together”.
The final decision is up to the council, which is now considering the request.