Wellington's New Laneway Is Set to Open This Week

The ribbon will be cut on the capital's newest laneway this week. Previously home to a drab parking building, the upgrade of the thoroughfare linking Manners and Victoria Streets and the connection through to Cuba Street, is part of Wellington City Council's wider 2040 vision to revitalise the city by transforming laneways that were under utilised. Seven projects have now been finished with more in the pipeline.

The Lombard and Bond Streets project has already become popular destination in the city, with the likes of New York-style delicatessen Pickle & Pie, coffee joint Lamason Brew Bar and boutique retail store St Fabiola sitting amongst a community of retail outlets and other businesses. It will soon welcome the country's first inner-city gin distillery. Created by Eamon O'Rourke and Mark Halton, Denzien Urban Distillery aims to make world class terroir gin out of its 114 square metre factory.

The new laneway will officially open this Friday, 12 October with a food and fashion event from 12-2pm. There will be live music, food and drink samples, performing arts and a runway show kicking off at 1pm. Denzien Urban Distillery will also be on site showing off their Kothe still ahead of releasing their first small batch gin release.

Visit wellington.govt.nz/laneways for more information.

Image: Pickle & Pie.