Liquidators put squeeze on Revell Street

Three Revell Street businesses are faced with possible closure so that liquidators can sell the land from under them.

Ken’s Pots and More, Oceanside Holiday Park and the laundromat could all shut up shop at their present locations because the liquidators for Oceanside Developments, which owned the land and property on the corner of Revell and Beach Streets, wants to sell the whole block to clear the company’s debts.
Oceanside Developments is owned by former Coaster, Patrick Nolan, who now lives in the United States.
Several years ago he demolished the historic Club Hotel on the site, announcing plans for a major retail redevelopment. Ken’s business owner Ken Norkett said that although the Ken Can Do handyman, painting and gardening service would continue, the Kens Pots and More retail arm would close in early August after a huge closing down sale.
“I started off with Ken’s Containers in October 2004 and I started this in October 2007. Unfortunately, it was never really successful, we are at the wrong end of town to get enough walk-in traffic.”
The shop had been running at a loss for the past two years and those losses had now become unsustainable, he said.
“We had hoped that Oceanside Developments would fulfill their promise to build a retail complex next door that would attract more people to this end of town, but that never eventuated.
“It is a sad situation, we have taken a lot of pride in the shop and offering the Hokitika public and tourists something a wee bit different and I think and hope that we will be missed.”
Colette O’Neill, who runs the laundromat, said she would endeavour to keep the service running, even if it meant having to relocate.
“Everything is a bit up in the air at the moment. If the building is sold we would certainly negotiate with the new owners to enable the plant to remain at its present location (in the former Commercial Flats).
“It is a valuable local service and we are keen for it to continue,either from where it is now or elsewhere in the town.”
Christchurch liquidator Stephen Tubbs said he was unable to comment on the situation.