Work has begun on Katikati's Town Centre Development enhancements, which community board chairman Sam Dunlop believes will help draw back boutique retail to fill the town's empty shops.

After nine years' planning and four years' community consultation, Sam says the Western Bay of Plenty District Council is beginning the work funded via a targeted rate, with the hall's front area now cordoned off and diggers ripping up concrete and tarseal.

Katikati Community Board chairman Sam Dunlop believes upcoming enhancements to his town's centre will entice back retailers.

'I'm very enthusiastic about the plan,” says Sam, who says Katikati had seven empty shops last October.

With a fourth two dollar-style shop open on Main St, Sam says he appreciates them setting up business in Katikati as they add colour and vibrancy. 'But I also think Katikati wants a speciality boutique image to go with the arts and culture vision.”

The Western Bay council has been charging Katikati residents a targeted rate for six years for the rejuvenation. First to undergo town centre enhancements was Te Puke, then Waihi Beach; now it's Katikati's turn to receive 'some love”.

Following a blessing by local iwi on January 31, work is now beginning on the memorial hall area by bringing large format paving to the road edge, making three rectangle basalt bands with inscriptions and repositioning trees to create a Memorial Square in front of the hall, with disabled parking. The work is expected to be finished by March 20.

What the new Memorial Square will look like when complete, which is part of the Katikati town centre enhancements. Sketch design by Isthmus and JSA Consultants.

Sam believes the number of boutique-style shops in Katikati has dwindled in the last few years due to recession.

But with the memorial hall area and the fire station building receiving a rejuvenated appearance, Sam says retail opportunities will change with the town's new aesthetics.

'The town centre's redevelopment will bring people back to the town – and businesses will follow.”

Sam says work on Cherry Court shopping centre via public-private agreement will also follow.

'Retailers will return to the area,” says Sam. 'And these developments will help people to return to the real centre of Katikati, which is based around the memorial hall and library.”