A Town Centre Full of Momentum

Browns Bay continues to attract new businesses, reflecting strong confidence in our town centre and its future. With its unique seaside character and enviable lifestyle, Browns Bay remains a desirable place to invest, work, live and visit. We are working with commercial real estate agents to encourage businesses that complement our coastal community and contribute positively to its vibrancy. Browns Bay is firmly established as a destination for exceptional eateries, specialty retail, health and wellness services, and the relaxed beach lifestyle that makes our town so special.

Empty tenancies are filling fast. We welcome Downlow Burgers at 27 Clyde Road, Beached As Takeaway at 83 Clyde Road, and PotXpress – all-you-can-eat hotpot dining at 8/12 Inverness Road.

We also welcome beauty therapist, Skin Poet, at 4G Bute Road, Celia Beauty at 8/25 Anzac Road, and Practical Training Solutions for first aid training at 50 Anzac Road. There has also been a change of ownership at Fools n Horses Ale House, with experienced restaurateur Ushan taking over this popular venue.

The Power of Shopping Local

According to consumer spending specialist Marketview, EFTPOS data shows spending in Browns Bay is currently below the same period last year, reflecting wider economic pressures facing households and businesses. Encouragingly, spending over the past 12 months remains above both regional and national averages. Our businesses have the community to thank for that continued support. Every decision to shop locally helps strengthen the vibrancy and resilience of our town centre.

Businesses are responding to tighter household budgets with value-driven offers and promotions. Following your favourite businesses on Facebook and Instagram is a great way to stay up to date with specials and events.

We’re excited for the return of our shop local campaign, with fantastic prizes up for grabs. First prize is a Harmony Spa Pool generously donated by Happy Kiwi Shop. It will be on display for all to see at SBA Small Business Accounting, 105 Clyde Road, from 24 June until 15 August 2026. Before you ask – no, you can’t test it out and there is no Prosecco on offer!

Thank you also to prize sponsors Augenstein’s Jewellers & Watchmakers, Stihl Shop Browns Bay, New World Browns Bay and Jess Barlow – The Mortgage Supply Co. Please support these businesses that so generously support Browns Bay.

Social Enterprise Café

The proposed social enterprise café by St Mary by the Sea Torbay continues to generate community interest, and the Business Association regularly receives enquiries about its position on the church’s proposal to “replant” in Browns Bay

As with many potential incoming businesses, we have engaged with St Mary’s to better understand their proposal, and offer the benefit of our expertise. Following a meeting with church representatives, and feedback from our member businesses via a survey, the Association concluded that, while there is strong support for the church’s work addressing food insecurity on the North Shore, Browns Bay’s commercial centre is not the most suitable location for the proposed social enterprise café model.

We have offered assistance in exploring alternative models and locations, and to facilitate a public meeting for the church’s input and community discussion. The offer of a public meeting has been declined at this stage.

The Association continues dialogue with St Mary’s and the Auckland Anglican Diocese to advocate for outcomes that are positive for the town centre and the wider community.

Town Centre Safety

There seems to be a growing concern about petty crime and nuisance behaviour in the town centre, but the reporting statistics do not reflect a significant increase. We encourage people to report incidents by called 105 or 111 (or online) as police resources are allocated based on reported data.

We are currently reviewing our contracted security patrols and monitoring to ensure the best possible outcomes. We also work closely with the police and consider ourselves fortunate to have a community police station and a community constable – something many town centres no longer have. Police from other centres also use the station as a base, contributing to a visible presence of police and vehicles. In addition, the business association has 17 monitored CCTV cameras linked directly to the police, helping support a safer town centre and assisting investigations when incidents occur.

We ask that you report, report, report. This is what actually builds an accurate picture of what is happening.