A New Brighton hostel once described by guests as “filthy” has officially closed its doors, marking a major turning point for retailers and residents in the area.

Point Break Backpackers & Café, the large blue building on the corner of Seaview and Union Streets, has been cleared of all tenants and residents.

The building has long attracted criticism from locals and visitors, with one former guest writing in a scathing review: “The hostel smelt like urine and was absolutely filthy… the bathroom was even more horrific.”

The property, which has also served as short-term accommodation for clients of the Ministry of Social Development and other government agencies, was a source of ongoing frustration for nearby retailers in the New Brighton Mall.

But, change is finally underway.

The building is now empty and will undergo a refurbishment both inside and out, with a complete rebrand and name change to follow.

The new owners are understood to have no plans to reopen the property to social agencies once the revamp is complete.

Ministry of Social Development Canterbury Regional Commissioner Blair McKenzie confirmed that Point Break Backpackers is not a supplier of emergency housing.

“We have not used them as an emergency housing supplier for some time”

A New Brighton Residents Association spokesperson told chrislynchmedia.com “while we make no judgement calls around the Point Break Backpackers choice of tenants in recent times, it did fill a gap for a period of increasing homelessness.

“However, its location within a resurging New Brighton retail area was never going to be practical going forward.

“The behaviour of a few of the lodgers with not much to do during the day, got to the point some retailers closest to the backpackers were beginning to consider moving elsewhere.

“The New Brighton Residents Association is pleased the decision has been made to upgrade and fits with the overall investment into the area, driven by a significant growth of residents and housing in central New Brighton.”

Coastal Ward Councillor Celeste Donovan said “the closure and upgrade of Point Break Backpackers marks a big step forward for New Brighton. With refurbishment and a rebrand on the way, it’s another sign of the area’s ongoing regeneration.

“This sits alongside the refurbishment of other buildings in the commercial area led by local company Martini Investments, as well as further investment in the mall by Council and the Community Leadership Group.

“Our coastal suburbs are a gateway to some of Christchurch’s most beautiful and unique spaces and host some of the city’s biggest events, like the Coast to Coast, bringing in many visitors looking for accommodation.

A well-run, reputable place for travellers will be a real boost for local businesses and the community, filling a much-needed gap in the market. I’m looking forward to seeing how this transformation adds to New Brighton’s revitalisation.”