The Colombo is a small shopping mall with interesting retail shops and cafes. There are several empty spaces which have been taken over as a series of galleries by artist Philip Trusttum. Each gallery has a title, such as ‘Urban Kinesis’ and ‘Manufactured Whimsy’.

The art works are for sale. There were price lists inside each gallery. Eye-watering prices – and some works had sold.

I browsed in several shops, especially my favourite, Nordic Chill, and also Trade Aid which is open until October when it, sadly, goes online only. The Trade Aid chocolate maker is also closing, so I bought some of their dark raspberry chocolate while I still can. Perhaps the empty spaces taken over for art are a sign of the struggling small business retailer, like Trade Aid. I’m doing my best to make sure Nordic Chill doesn’t go under. I love their Icelandic socks.

At the end of the mall I was startled to find the sparkly, opulent, colourful shop of Annah Stretton, a NZ fashion designer. This is art, too. I hovered on the threshold but did not go in. Later, I discovered her strapline is: Any woman, any time. So much for that!