No matter what side of the construction fence you fall on, Papamoa Plaza centre manager David Hill wants you to have a pleasurable experience.

Stage 2A of the revamp is in full swing – there's a sea of hoardings, the raised area in the middle is gone, as are eight retailers who've either been relocated onsite or elected to move offsite.

Papamoa Plaza centre manager David Hill is extremely pleased with how the shopping complex's upgrade is going so far. Photo: David Tauranga.

Carrying out such a major overhaul can be a mathematical equation; construction plus retailers multiplied by shoppers equals…

'You'd imagine it's a bit like oil and water,” elaborates David. 'But we've got a good team of people who manage that interface to ensure everyone can go about their business, work or shop safely and efficiently, while still having a pleasurable experience no matter what side of the fence you are.”

For the next five months or so, there will be four crews working around the clock, seven days a week, to demolish, construct and fit-out.

On the inside, crews will be going through re-pouring concrete and they'll also start raising shop fronts.

Next Tuesday they'll begin raising shop fronts on the outside, while Wednesday sees building crews take over the western carpark and get ready to build.

Last year's works, from NZ Post to the pharmacy and the entrance, will start up again and carry on down to Eves Realty, then out into the carpark.

'By end of October we should have a new façade and an extra 2,600sqm retail, and that will be Stage 2A,” explains David.

'Next year is the forming of the new entrance, the food court, and an extra 2,000sqm again of retail.”

This is the second upgrade of a shopping complex David's been involved in, having previously overseen the upgrade of Nelson's Richmond Shopping Mall in the past.

Having had that experience, he feels more aware of what's going on and has a better understanding of the issues that come into play with a major redevelopment.

But more than anything, the process is exciting for him.

David starts work day at 6am on the dot and says every day he arrives it's like walking into a new shopping centre.

'It's fantastic, just such good fun watching all the works happen,” he admits. 'We come in and it's like a new shopping centre for us every day.

'It's exciting seeing the progress made each night. We've re-jigged all the workforce so it's sparkling clean and tidy by 9am.”

Since the upgrades started David has received 'minute-by-minute” feedback and he's heartened to see how enthusiastic not only the retailers are but the customers too.

While the bulk of the work is taking place behind closed hoardings, next year many will be replaced with chicken wire and this will allow shoppers to see the transformation taking place.

'People can actually see what's going on, and that's the exciting thing about working for a family owned business,” says David. 'They try and engage the whole community in what's going on.

'At the end of the day, Papamoa Plaza will be owned by the locals, so it's only going to be successful if the locals have ownership in it.”