Managing pop-up stalls in the future

We're working with local stakeholders to shape how pop-up stall trading could be managed in the future.

Pop-up stall trading on Queenstown waterfront has grown significantly in recent years - particularly after COVID-19. While this has created opportunities for local entrepreneurs and creates vibrancy, it has also raised several concerns.

In 2023, QLDC adopted the Activities in Public Places Bylaw which regulates pop-up stall trading, along with other activities in public places. Since then, feedback has been raised by traders and the community relating to:

• Practicality of the Bylaw for pop-up stall traders
• Congestion and obstructed access on the lakefront
• Visual amenity and litter
• Food safety
• Non-compliance with the Bylaw

We need to find an approach that works for everyone who uses and values these spaces.

Where are we at

A workshop was held on 28 July 2026 to ask Councillors for further guidance to inform next steps over the short term. You can read the workshop material here(External link). We’ve also provided a recording of the workshop – check out the videos section on the right hand side of this page.

No formal decisions were made at this workshop, however Councillors provided feedback on the following four topics which will inform further work:

Topic 1 - Over the short term should any trading occur on the lakefront, CBD streets and wider QT town centre?

Councillors indicated that some trading could be permitted over the short term, provided appropriate restrictions and site specific limitations were in place to manage potential effects.

Topic 2 – Outcomes being sought to guide next steps.

Councillors discussed the outcomes sought through the development and implementation of trading regulations. These were focused on:

• Fit for purpose regulation
• Maintaining high quality public spaces
• Informed and balanced decision-making
• Solutions focused

Topic 3 - What sites could be considered to provide for trading over the short term?

Guidance was provided on sites that could be further investigated for trading over the short term. Councillors indicted that:

• The Mall and Beach Street were not considered suitable locations for trading.
• Trading on the lakefront should be confined to a smaller area, in particular, the southern part of the current ‘prohibited trading area’ located around Earnslaw Park.
• Trading in the open spaces at the corners of Shotover/Stanley Street, and at Ballarat Street/Athol Street should be investigated further.

These sites are shown in the workshop material here

Topic 4 - Charging for trading activities conducted on public land.

Councillors requested that staff further investigate how fees/charges could be applied to trading activities in relation to:

• the administrative requirements of processing applications and monitoring, and
• the commercial use of public land.

Next steps

Based on the guidance provided by Councillors, staff will undertake further investigations on a short term regulatory approach to manage trading activities. This will be presented to Council for their consideration on 12 November 2026.

We are working with stakeholders to get this right

We've met with a group of local traders, the business and hospitality community and other affected stakeholders. An online survey was also made available for those who were interested but could not attend an in-person session.

If you have any questions, there's an online Q&A tool below. Anyone can use this to ask a question about the process underway.

** Wider community engagement is expected later in the process, once Councilors have provided further guidance on a preferred approach.**