By Kira Carrington, journalist of democracy
The owners of several catering trucks in an empty land in the middle of Blenheim are concerned that they will be hindered after the land bought through the Marlborough district council.
The property of 1,147 square meters, which covers five titles between High St and Wynen St, along with Te Kahu or Waipuna, bought through the Council in May for $ 1. 8 million.
Mayor Nadine Taylor said the site reserved for progression as a network space, and that the Council would request public comments when exploring the options.
One of the Catering truck owners, Peter Blaha of DFC Artisan Bakery, said he had been informed through the owner approximately two weeks before the sale that the land would be sold.
Blaha said he expected the council to allow them to remain there.
“I would be satisfied if we can agree with them,” Blaha said.
“We are small businesses.
Blaha said the council can only integrate catering trucks into an area that extracts more CBD pedestrian traffic. He estimated that the lot can adapt to one hundred people.
“You can do [a] small market here, even a small festival,” Blaha said.
Boseong Jeong, owner of Food Truck Sasa Express, said that even if she closed in a time because she was pregnant, she also hoped that she could take a long -term agreement that would allow her to remain in the place.
Alson his owner of Orange Eats said he had already gone.
“They told us that the last one we can leave this position is in mid -June,” said his. “We are still waiting for other positions to move [a]. “
A Board spokesman said that through a distinctive characteristic of reservations and other public puts 2017, no one can take advertising activities in public lands without the written approval of the Council.
“When cellular catering truck owners have approached the Council in the CBD in the past, these requests have been rejected in deference to other rates payment corporations in the CBD,” said the spokesman.
“However, in this case, the Council is in conditions of paintings with food truck operators to receive their past arrangements and read about the appropriate characteristics in the future. “
Anna Hamman, owner of the neighboring company, The Sewing Store, said it would be wonderful if the trucks could stay.
“In fact, food trucks were a welcome addition. It is very lovely to know that there are some small local businesses that have a position there. “
Jay Sirichan, owner of the Japanese feeding place near Bento, said that Blenheim’s central corporations can do with a new attraction.
“Business is slow.
“I would like a new area to make things more attractive to other people in the city.
“The new library is very good. On weekends, there are many other people with their children. But alone, I think it’s not enough. “
* LDR is physically journalism co -financed through RNZ and New Zealand in the air.
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