By Hamish Clark
Christchurch is racing to open its new look shopping mall in a week's time.
Shipping containers have replaced damaged buildings in what is being called the world’s first pop-up container mall.
They are trendy and industrial and a brand new look for Christchurch.
The brightly coloured containers are stacked and lined ready to attract shoppers back into the old city mall.
Sixty-five retailers registered for the container mall with only 27 accepted.
Ballantynes is being refitted and restocked and will be joined by other specialty shops not found in suburban shopping malls.
Two cafes are also being built from scratch and will sit in the middle of the shopping precincts.
After months of pulling buildings down construction workers are flat out putting the new shops up.
Now it is a race against time with paths still to be sealed and landscaping to be done.
The new retail precinct will be the first chance for locals to be inside the red zone and see it for themselves.
They will not need to sign in, wear fluro or even wear a helmet; all they will need is their wallets and cameras when it opens in eight days time.
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