Westpac Business Hub helps revive Christchurch business

Thursday 01 September 2011

Spring 2011

The devastating 22 February earthquake brought Christchurch to its knees, but the Westpac Business and Community Hub is set to help displaced Christchurch businesses rise from the rubble. 

The temporary structure will stand next to CBS Canterbury Arena in Addington for the next two and a half years.

Small to medium sized businesses, displaced by the earthquakes, will inhabit the Hub’s 42 furnished offices (over 2,600 square metres), shared boardrooms, corporate lounge and training room free of charge. In addition, twenty percent of the Hub will be available to support non profit community groups such as the Cancer Society.

Westpac established and managed the project, oversaw construction, and furnished the Hub. Other key sponsors, Fletcher Building Limited, Meridian, Gen-I and Vbase (Christchurch City Council), stepped up to provide free electricity, communications, and facilities respectively. A number of other national and local businesses offered their services at a discount or for free during construction.

Meridian Business Marketing Manager Hamish McEwen says Meridian is part of the business community in the city and thought its contribution to donate power to the Hub was an important one for the city.

“It’s great that we can play our part in supporting those businesses that need help.”

Westpac National Procurement Manager Dean Adams says more than 500 Westpac staff members were dislocated from the central city after February’s earthquake, so Westpac understood the challenges other businesses faced to stay in the city.

“The community is inextricably linked to the success of businesses. Without a good business community down there it will inevitably affect the community,” he says.

“Anything going up like this is a signal that there’s a reason to stay in Christchurch. It’s that sort of flagship that gives people hope.”

Westpac Project Manager Andrew Tasker says 44,000 square metres of business space were lost in the red-zone and around the city, so he expects demand for the Hub will be high.

“We see this as a good medium-term recovery solution. A flexible structure just gives people a little bit of breathing space.”

For information about the Hub, visit the Westpac Business and Community Hub website.