The Arts Market @ the Cargo Shed on Dive Crescent is closing as a result of 'council changes”, according to a public notice.
The Cargo Shed gallery will be open every day from 10am until 4pm until August 14.
The Cargo Shed on Dive Crescent is closing.
Tauranga City Council communications manager Aimee Driscoll says planned extension of the stabilisation works of the seawall along Dive Crescent will create disruption for people in the Cargo Shed.
The arts market annual lease expired June 30, says Aimee. Stallholders are operating on month-by-month lease until the end of August. From September 17 they can book the space on an hourly rate.
'We have been working with representatives of the stallholders for the last three months on the hourly booking system, and have been actively looking for alternate locations with them,” says Aimee.
'We have asked stallholders to set up their stands only when The Arts Market is open. This change will take effect from September 17.”
The Cargo shed is owned by the city council but is on Crown land. It was built sometime after the Second World War as the main cargo shed for the then port.
It has been an arts venue since 2004, was taken over by the city council in 2009. For a while it was administered by Creative Tauranga, until a stall holders' coup in 2013 which saw Creative Tauranga removed from the loop and the stall holders began dealing directly with the council.
The cargo shed contact Brenda Butler had no comment to make about the closure.
She referred inquiries to the Men's Shed trustees. Gabrielle Johnson says their involvement was through The Men's Shed having a stall at the Cargo Shed since March.
They were advised the lease was shortened to a month to month operation then they received the notice to quit.
11 comments
Charity over
Posted on 03-08-2016 09:52 | By Crash test dummies
Guess that is what happens when market rent and art collide, the door shuts.
cargo shed closure
Posted on 03-08-2016 10:28 | By Alf
I am saddened to learn the TCC is closing the Cargo Shed.This not only attracts locals but visitors and tourists are interested in the skill and imagination of this collective from our area. The Council is asking for ways of attracting people to the city centre so why close down this attractive asset? The artisans of the cargo shed have worked hard and invested big money to develop the premise and make it presentable as an outlet for their art and craft.Bus loads from cruise ships have delighted in this on shore attraction and many more have been booked to the end of the year. Where will this goodwill and potential revenue go? Please think again.Joan Parfitt
HA,HA,HA!
Posted on 03-08-2016 11:48 | By How about this view!
Is this a first??? Tauranga City Council tends to bend over backwards to accommodate and promote "The ARTS". I have looked through this site once or twice and was struck by the lack of interest from the stall holders and hence I presumed that the site was being used as more of a work-space and social networking site than as a retail space and I have never returned. Maybe a visit when the cruise ships are in would attract a more inviting welcome as there may be a dollar to be made.
Jaffa, market rent?
Posted on 03-08-2016 12:37 | By Murray.Guy
Jaffa, the Cargo Shed folk are NOT subsidized by rates relief as was the former occupier, returning as promised a dividend to the coffers. If anything, in the absence of any information that has any ring of truth about it, I suspect a return to the 'dark days' of an undisclosed very unattractive deal for the ratepayer.
Oh no, not again...
Posted on 03-08-2016 12:39 | By takeabreath
Such a shame that this place continues to have so many problems - but it is a reflection on the arts community as a whole. In fighting and power struggles over 'turf' continue to destroy what could be a great creative community...I'm guessing the council have had enough of infighting? Come on people, this city is growing fast and it's time to grow up and listen to each other instead of fighting over who is right and who is wrong, great things could happen in this city if we all choose to work as a team. A lot of passionate people have been bullied and shut out if they try to do anything positive and as a result we have a dis-functional arts community....please, wake up
plenty of space?
Posted on 03-08-2016 13:00 | By strangekiwi
There's plenty of vacant shops in the cbd. Why doesn't the council give rate discounts to the landlords willing to lease short term with very low rent to artist's? The artists are able to vacate when the store is leased to a long term Tennant, and it'll keep the high street from looking like a ghost town.
Smell a Rat?
Posted on 03-08-2016 13:31 | By Mackka
So the only 'breath of fresh air' in the downtown area is to be closed down - obliterating the only vestige of life and interest still remaining in the Down Town area.Are we to know the fate of the building?Rumour has it that Maori are involved in the shutdown and ownership of the land, referred to above as owned by 'the Crown'. I hope not - the building will probably be left to languish as has the old Mount Fire Station which was returned to Maori years ago and still sits abandoned!With all the homeless people around, the fire station building with all its amenities could be housing many families! Shame on those who have left that building to remain forgotten and unused!
Tourist attraction
Posted on 03-08-2016 15:11 | By DAD
With the different displays have always found this place very interesting. It much more interesting than a Museum place it is the only Historical Building left in the down town area. I hear rumour that certain parties claiming it now as it is built on the foreshore, just as well the Museum didn't go ahead over the Water.
TCC
Posted on 03-08-2016 16:37 | By Capt_Kaveman
have plans just wait look what hap to the foodbank location, now a car park, give them the art gallery kicking creative was the best move
Land ownership
Posted on 03-08-2016 21:18 | By Murray.Guy
The land is owned by the Crown which is an impediment to any Council plans to enhance Dive Crescent in the future. Some 5 or so years back the City Council staff put an application to the Crown for the title to be in the joint names of Tauranga City Council and the local Hapu. As yet I understand this process has yet to be completed which further casts doubt on the integrity of Council's actions.
Move up with the times
Posted on 03-08-2016 22:13 | By bogside
Lets get real here - this is prime waterfront real estate and to expect it to realise its true value while it is loaned out to a bunch of hippy endeavours is ridiculous. I suggest the Council should let the true entrepreneurs in and see how real value is created.
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