Christchurch’s newest supermarket has opened its doors, bringing a new look for Woolston, a better shopping experience for east Christchurch, and dozens of new jobs. New World Ferry Road has been built beside the existing site at the eastern end of Woolston shops, and was officially opened by Port Hills MP Ruth Dyson.
Owner-operator Greg Boock says after a year of construction the store is now in “fantastic shape,” and he’s pleased to be able to open it up to shoppers for the first time. “The store has a great feel when you walk in,” Boock says. “There’s triple the retail space that we had before, meaning wider and longer aisles, and we have the latest designs in the deli, butchery and seafood sections, for those wanting a personal touch when buying specialty foods.”
“At the front end we have eleven checkouts in total, including five that are self-service; and outside there’ll be 114 carparks once the old store is demolished, which is triple what we had before.
“I’m very pleased to have been able to retain and recruit the best staff for the new store. I’m also proud to be playing a vital role in the rejuvenation of Woolston, and confident the new store will bring more shoppers to the village.”
Foodstuffs South Island’s General Manager of Property and Retail Development, Roger Davidson, says New World Ferry Road is the first of three new Foodstuffs stores opening in the South Island this year, the others being PAK’nSAVE Queenstown, and Four Square West Melton.
“Seeing stores like Ferry Road finally open to shoppers is one of the most satisfying parts of my job,” Davidson says. “I’ve had a walk-through already and it really is a wonderful store: modern, bright and eco-friendly, with energy-efficient lighting, ozone-friendly refrigeration, and facilities for waste minimisation, which is a strong focus for Foodstuffs right now.”
Boock adds that it’s heartening to be able to contribute to Christchurch’s regeneration: “So much is being done to rebuild this city and once again make it the best place in New Zealand to live and raise a family. Rebuilding the CBD is a major aspect of that, and so are investments like this – locals want to see their suburbs being modernised too, and I’m delighted to be able to play a part in that.”
