The Farmers carpark, situated above the Farmers Colombo Street store opens for use this Friday from 7.30am.

“We are thrilled that the carpark has been able to open before Christmas. It’s a definite boost for shopping in the central city, especially north of The Square,” says Councillor Ron Wright, Chairman on the Projects and Property Committee, Christchurch City Council. “The project is an excellent example of Council working alongside private enterprise to achieve a result that benefits the residents and shoppers of Christchurch”.

While the carpark was originally scheduled to be finished by the end of March 1999, the project has been fast-tracked to ease parking problems in the central city during its biggest weeks of the year. Finishing touches such as painting will be done over the next few months.

“Thanks to a superb effort by the staff and all the contractors we’re ahead of schedule by three months, and we’ve been able to get much of the public parking in the building open in time for the Christmas rush”, says Owen Rees, Director of Hughes, Rees and Sara Construction Ltd.

“The success of our store has already exceeded our expectations and the opening of the carpark will be even more convenient for our customers now that we have sufficient parking so close by,” says John Milford, General Manager Store Operations and Store Development, Farmers Trading Company.

The Farmers carpark will be open seven days a week.

Opening hours are: Monday to Friday 7.30am - midnight

Saturday 9.00am - midnight

Sunday 9.00am - 5.00pm

Initially there will be 250 parking spaces available, increasing to 435 on final completion of the building. The entry/exit point is on Oxford Terrace between Gloucester and Armagh Streets, to the rear of the Canterbury Public Central Library. Pedestrian access is from Gloucester and Armagh Streets and within the Farmers store.

For further information about the carpark: