Wall's removal allows mall-to-mall flow

World champion Dunedin cyclist Alison Shanks becomes the first member of the public to pass through the walkway linking the Golden Centre and Wall Street shopping malls in Dunedin yesterday. Photo by Peter McIntosh.

That was the chorus from those behind the Wall Street and Golden Centre shopping malls as they gathered for the official unveiling of the Golden Centre mall's stage one redevelopment in Dunedin yesterday.

About 120 people, including deputy mayor Syd Brown, attended the short ceremony and watched a group of six Golden Centre retailers - the three longest-serving and three new tenants - cut a ribbon to mark the moment.

The highlight came as the wooden panel separating the Wall Street and Golden Centre malls was finally slid aside, allowing world champion Dunedin cyclist Alison Shanks to become the first person to pass through the link, on her bike.

The opening meant shoppers would be able to stroll between the three malls, including the Meridian, while sheltered from the elements.

Opening the link also ended a dispute stretching back to early this year.

Dunedin City Council staff had believed they had an agreement with the Golden Centre to open the link with the unveiling of Wall Street in March, but Golden Centre manager Simon Eddy has disputed this.

Yesterday, Mr Eddy said he was "very happy indeed" to see the link open, after a few nervous moments at 3am yesterday as contractors rushed to finish the project.

"I hope the opening of the link now puts an end to what could be described as a certain level of controversy around it," he told the Otago Daily Times.

Council property manager Robert Clark, who attended yesterday's unveiling, agreed with the sentiment.

"There never was a Cold War and I'm absolutely thrilled it is open," he said.

chris.morris@odt.co.nz