Outdoor dining area in Mapua opposed

BY ALICE COWDREY ALICEC@NELSONMAIL.CO.NZ

Tasman district councillor Trevor Norriss opposes a 10-year licence for an outside dining area at Mapua and wants the waterfront site used by the public instead.

A new licence for the council-owned area, once used by Smokehouse Cafe customers who dined outdoors, has already been granted to Tom and Vivienne Fox.

They lease the former Smokehouse Cafe building from the council, but subleased the premises to cafe owners David Endersby and Julina Ismail until July.

Mr Norriss brought up his concerns during a meeting when the council was asked to rubber-stamp the licence.

A condition of the area's licence is that whoever is occupying the former Smokehouse also has that licence. Councillors have resolved that the matter be discussed further during a private council enterprise meeting.

Mr Norriss said a 10-year licence was far too long. "There's a lot of discontent with what's been happening out there."

He said the development of the former Fruitgrowers Chemical Company site waterfront park and the national cycleway meant the area should be open to the public and not used by a business.

Council property manager Jim Frater was called into the council chamber to clarify the matter. He said the licence could be terminated by the council if there was an alternative use for the area or if the council was unhappy with its use.

Mr Norriss said use of the whole wharf area needed to be reviewed. He was a "wee bit more satisfied" after learning the licence could be pulled at any time.

Councillor Jack Inglis said he believed the council should consider the situation "very, very carefully".

Councillor Glenys Glover said that at the last council enterprise committee meeting she was told the whole area was subject to a report.

The Foxes have 10 years left on their lease of the former Smokehouse Cafe building and are renovating its interior. Mr Frater said that the discussion was confidential and he could not comment.

He would not specify what it cost for the licence but said it was "reasonably significant".

Mr Endersby said he had paid about $4500 each year for the outside dining area and it was a critical part of the business because it seated about 80 people.

He agreed the area should be used by the public instead of a restaurant. Getting rid of the seating area would mean there were uninterrupted views of the sea and it would flow nicely with the waterfront park development.

Mr Fox told The Nelson Mail it was too early to comment on what he had planned for the building.

- © Fairfax NZ News