Lights above and light blocks underneath could be used to lead more evening pedestrians through Palmerston North's Regent Arcade.

Palmerston North's Broadway Ave is in line for a $300,000 power boost.

The city council is considering a comprehensive lighting plan to put some sparkle into the thriving night life of the street and its links through the Regent Arcade and Berrymans Lane.

If the budget stretches far enough, it will create some more mini-parks for people near the lane, carry out some landscaping, and improve the power supply.

Supplied An artist's impression shows how Palmerston North's Berryman's Lane could be a safer, more appealing pedestrian lane after dark.

The plan is an interim one, ahead of a $26.6 million central city streetscape makeover signalled in the council's 10-year plan.

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Planner Keegan Aplin-Thane said the plan was to bridge the gap between "light touch place making" and the long term project.

Supplied More planting and seating could enhance Broadway's role as a place for casual dining and conversation.

It would enhance the transformation that had already happened in the street, from a retail strip into a night time dinner and show zone.

That switch was captured by changes in electronic card retail data between 2009 and 2016 that had seen 200 per cent growth in spending in its cafes, bars and restaurants.

The latest restaurant to join the block is Haru Japanese. Manager Grace Lee said while she was new on the street, business was going well and she thought the council plans would help even more.

Aplin-Thane said it was important to create a discernible difference in the landscape between day and night.

"The only difference now is that the under veranda lights come on at 8pm."

The project would spill into the two alleyways that brought pedestrians into the street from car parking areas centred around Main St and King St.

The Regent Arcade was likely to benefit from overhead lights and light blocks set into the pavement.

Berrymans Lane was used by up to 25 people every half hour in the early evenings, "but after 9pm people stop using it, because is does not feel safe".

Lights in the wall was proposed, as well as flood-lighting on a wall that could become home to urban art.

Twelve-year business resident, Chada Thai restaurant owner Arunee Srichantra, said there were challenges in an area with many bars and people drinking too much.

There was not just one thing that would help make Broadway a better place, she said.

"Lighting will help. The people who make crime do not do it in the light. But we also need cameras, and prompt action from the police when we have a problem."

Enhancing Broadway's role as a night-time venue would get a test run on Saturday night.

"Experience Broadway" involves closing off vehicle traffic between the Regent Theatre and Berrymans Lane, and granting a special liquor licence so people could take drinks outside.

There would be a couple of the food trucks there, a stage for entertainment, and outdoor furniture would be provided.

"We're hoping to encourage a really nice vibe that ties in with the Ohakea crowd (attending the Air Force Tattoo) and appeal to locals as well," Aplin-Thane said.