‘Age Friendly Business’ signs beginning to appear outside Kāpiti businesses indicate that those
businesses offer patrons a welcoming environment.
Kāpiti Grey Power, with the support of their national body (NZGP), has recently been working on an initiative across the Central New Zealand districts that have Grey Power associations and memberships. And it is taking off. Already 18 businesses across 6 districts have signed up, and are working through a fairly simple process to meet requirements, as most of the businesses already mainly comply.
The Age Friendly ‘Store’ process arrived from overseas in about 2000, and the Kāpiti Coast District Council at that time was keen to become involved. The ‘shop’ requirements were relatively basic, but sensible and desirable –
Easy access for prams, pushchairs and mobility devices
Available and friendly service
Customer seating
Shelf height reachable for likely products
Signage readable, including prices
Payment processes assisted
Nearest toilets indicated
Unfortunately, despite three attempts over the years, the process was never set up. However, mid – last year, the current President of Kāpiti Coast Grey Power Roger Booth, who was Deputy Mayor of KCDC when the idea was first proposed in Kāpiti, found he had the support of both Kāpiti GP and NZGP to make it happen. And at last it has, but in ‘businesses’ rather than just stores, and in at least 6 districts across Central New Zealand.
Five businesses in Kāpiti have signed up – Brien Electrical, Andy Magee Plumbing, Waterfront Bar and Kitchen, Columbus Coffee Bar, and Warehouse Stationery – and five more businesses are working through the checking and registration process. There are eight more stores on board in Blenheim, Upper Hutt, Porirua, Horowhenua, and Hastings.
The NZGP President Gayle Chambers says that “It is great to see Kāpiti has taken this initiative to ensure people’s needs are acknowledged when shopping.”
Roger Booth is keen to hear from other businesses happy to meet the stated requirements, and display such a sign outside their business. Contact on 04 9023421 or chrisrog@outlook.com
