The Palms Shopping Centre in Shirley will remain closed today, Saturday 24 December following yesterday’s 5.8 magnitude earthquake and subsequent aftershocks.

Structural engineers are continuing to assess the building to ensure that it is safe prior to reopening. The safety and wellbeing of our retailers, staff and customers is our main priority.

Customers are asked to obtain updates on the centre via The Palms Shopping Centre Facebook page and website.

We realise that it is unfortunate that the centre is unable to open on Christmas Eve nevertheless The Palms Shopping Centre Management Team and retailers wish all their customers a merry and safe Christmas.

23 June 2011 – Following detailed structural inspections of The Palms Shopping Centre, our consultant engineers have confirmed that the building performed well during the 13 June earthquake and subsequent aftershocks.

Further damage was sustained in a few areas, which will be repaired. The north entrance (near Countdown), which was due to open at the end of June requires attention. The recently-fixed guttering will undergo a new round of repairs to ensure the building is watertight. The travelators and newly-replaced tiling also require some repairs.

The Palms Shopping Centre manager Keryn Ward says, “We would like to reassure the public that while we have been dealt further delays and there is some work to be done, we will be reopening as soon as possible.

“We hope to have an update on our rescheduled opening dates in the near future, once we have a clearer picture of the time required to remedy the further damage.”

http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Palms-Shopping-Centre/144755025564699

www.thepalms.co.nz

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20 June, 4.19pm. The Palms Shopping Centre has announced that following the recent series of severe aftershocks, the planned 30 June opening of the centre’s first phase is no longer possible.

This means the reopening plan to see the centre open in stages over the next few months is now delayed by at least a month.

Preliminary inspections have been completed, with further detailed structural inspections to be carried out over the next two week period to determine if any works are required and to confirm new phased reopening dates.

The Palms Shopping Centre manager Keryn Ward says, “As always, our concern is for the safety and well-being of our retailers, customers and staff. Despite everyone’s best efforts and the significant progress made, our reopening dates will be rescheduled. We will continue to update everyone via media and The Palms Facebook page and website.”

http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Palms-Shopping-Centre/144755025564699

www.thepalms.co.nz

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14 June 2011 – 10.09am

Structural engineers are assessing The Palms Shopping Centre in Shirley following yesterday’s series of severe aftershocks.

The Palms Shopping centre manager Keryn Ward says “we had been making significant progress towards our planned 30 June reopening, however if our engineers find that further work needs to be done, we may need to review and move our scheduled opening dates.

“Our focus is on making sure our centre is safe for our customers and retailers. We will keep everyone posted on the status of our centre via the media, our website and Facebook page.”

http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Palms-Shopping-Centre/144755025564699

www.thepalms.co.nz

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For further information:

AMPCSC Senior Centre Manager Jennifer Andrews was featured on NewstalkZB Christchurch, 02 Wednesday 2011 in an interview regarding The Palms Shopping Centre, Shirley, Christchurch.

In her interview she discusses the structure of the shopping centre and projected plan of assessment.

To listen to the full interview follow this link and select 10.00 TRN-NEWSTALK-ZB-CHCH; Jennifer appears on the air at 19.15minutes.

Today, it has been advised The Palms Shopping Centre has developed a remedial plan for the centre following the devastating earthquake on February 22.

Assessments by geotechnical and structural engineers have determined that the structural and liquefaction damage will necessitate remedial work in several areas of the centre.

AMP Capital Shopping Centres (AMPCSC) senior centre manager Jennifer Andrews said: “Our centre is ‘bruised but certainly not broken’ and despite circulating rumours, the centre will not be demolished. Compared to so many other buildings in Christchurch we are fortunate that our building can be safely repaired to stringent standards.

“Our primary concern since the earthquake has been for the safety of our retailers, customers and our own team, many of whom have also been personally affected.  We were very fortunate that there were no serious injuries within the centre or the centre’s car parks.”

“We are working through a robust, flexible and sequential remedial plan in consultation with our retailers. This will take time; however we are fortunate to have their support during this very difficult time.  Our thoughts and condolences are with everyone affected by the devastating earthquake and the ongoing aftershocks.”

Anyone who wishes to make a donation in support of Christchurch can participate in the earthquake appeal at collection points in-centre at the two other AMP Capital Shopping Centres, Botany Town Centre in East Auckland and Bayfair Shopping Centre in Tauranga.

04 Friday 2011 – 3.00pm

The Palms Shopping Centre in Shirley has developed a remedial plan for the centre following the devastating earthquake on February 22.

The centre will be closed for a minimum of four weeks to allow for the necessary safety checks and clean up operations. Thereafter the centre will undertake a phased reopening of the various retail precincts as repairs are effected. Currently there is no public access to any centre facilities including the ATM machines, car parks and cinemas.

Assessments by geotechnical and structural engineers have determined that the structural and liquefaction damage will necessitate remedial work in several areas of the centre.

AMP Capital Shopping Centres (AMPCSC) senior centre manager Jennifer Andrews said: “Our centre is ‘bruised but certainly not broken’ and despite circulating rumours, the centre will not be demolished. Compared to so many other buildings in Christchurch we are fortunate that our building can be safely repaired to stringent standards.

“Our primary concern since the earthquake has been for the safety of our retailers, customers and our own team, many of whom have also been personally affected.  We were very fortunate that there were no serious injuries within the centre or the centre’s car parks.”

“We are working through a robust, flexible and sequential remedial plan in consultation with our retailers. This will take time; however we are fortunate to have their support during this very difficult time.  Our thoughts and condolences are with everyone affected by the devastating earthquake and the ongoing aftershocks.”

We will continue to update customers on our progress through the The Palms Shopping Centre’s Facebook page and website:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Palms-Shopping-Centre/144755025564699

www.thepalms.co.nz

Anyone who wishes to make a donation in support of Christchurch can participate in the earthquake appeal at collection points in-centre at the two other AMP Capital Shopping Centres, Botany Town Centre in East Auckland and Bayfair Shopping Centre in Tauranga.

About The Palms

The Palms Shopping Centre in Shirley (four kilometres from the Christchurch CBD), is an asset in the AMP Capital Shopping Centre Fund (ASCF). The Fund has 11 properties under management with a total fund size of over A$2 billion.

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01 March 2011 – 02:48PM

Centre Management would like to ensure that any information in the market about The Palms Shopping Centre is factually accurate.

We would like to thank our retailers for their feedback and information about a rumour which is currently circulating. It is not accurate that “the entire centre will be demolished.”

Structural engineers are currently developing a remedial plan for each of the areas in the centre. Once finalised, we will discuss this plan with our retailers directly.

The Palms Shopping Centre remains closed today.

We will continue to provide daily updates on The Palms Shopping Centre Facebook page and website.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Palms-Shopping-Centre/144755025564699

www.thepalms.co.nz

Retailers can also ring 0800 SHOP AMP (0800 7467 267) for daily updates.

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25 February 2011 – 1:05PM

The Palms Shopping Centre in Shirley will remain closed again today following Tuesday’s severe earthquake. Centre management is working closely with authorities to make the necessary structural and safety checks.

There will be no public access to all centre facilities including the ATM machines and car parks.

An update on the time of re-opening will be posted on The Palms Shopping Centre Facebook page and website.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Palms-Shopping-Centre/144755025564699

www.thepalms.co.nz

Retailers and customers can also ring 0800 SHOP AMP (0800 7467 267) for more information.

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24 February 2011 – 12.10PM

The Palms Shopping Centre in Shirley will remain closed today following Tuesday’s severe earthquake. There is no public access to all centre facilities including the ATM machines and car parks.

Centre management is working closely with authorities to make the necessary structural and safety checks.

AMP Capital Shopping Centres (AMPCSC) Senior Centre Manager Jennifer Andrews said, “Our thoughts and condolences are with everyone affected by the devastating earthquake and the ongoing aftershocks.

“Customers and staff who would like to make a donation can participate in the earthquake appeal at collection points in-centre at Botany Town Centre in East Auckland and Bayfair Shopping Centre in Tauranga.”

Centre management will issue an update on the time of re-opening as soon as possible. Updates will be posted on The Palms Shopping Centre Facebook page and website.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Palms-Shopping-Centre/144755025564699#!/pages/The-Palms-Shopping-Centre/180492305315588

www.thepalms.co.nz

Retailers and customers can also ring 0800 SHOP AMP (0800 7467 267) for more information.

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23 Wednesday 2011, The Palms Shopping Centre in Shirley will remain closed this morning following yesterday’s severe earthquake.

Centre management is working closely with authorities to make the necessary structural and safety checks.

Centre management will issue an update on the time of re-opening as soon as possible.

Updates will be posted on The Palms Shopping Centre Facebook page and website.
www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/The-Palms-Shopping-Centre/144755025564699
www.thepalms.co.nz

Retailers and customers can ring 0800 SHOP AMP (0800 7467 267) for more updates.