The neon horse-and-rider sign on Dunedin's Meridian mall nicknamed Can't Stop has stopped glowing and galloping but it will race again.
A static electric sign of a horse-and-rider was installed on department store Arthur Barnett in George St in 1930. In 1935, the horse galloped to be the first double-sided activated sign in New Zealand.
The following year, a neon clock was installed with the sign. The sign has survived a fire and unruly students but stopped glowing this year.
Mall centre manager Michael Porter said the mall was engaged in several "notable operational and aesthetic projects'' to benefit its retailers and the public "which unfortunately take precedence in regard to operational expenditure''.
The work to return the horse and rider and clock to "full operational order'' would be scheduled as appropriate, he said.
Mr Porter said the cost to fix the sign and clock was "not insignificant''.
The Meridian mall had owned the horse and clock sign since Arthur Barnett sold the centre in 2003, Mr Porter said.
"Respective building owners since that time have spent a considerable sum in regard to the maintenance of the [horse and clock].''
