Why the Windmill had to close its doors

The owners of the Windmill Quality Cake Shop say their loyal customers are the ones to miss out as ‘‘Porirua City Council has let the heart of the city fail’’.

The doors closed at the Windmill on November 23. It brought the curtain down on its 43- year presence under the Canopies.

Owner Thomas Thomas said the CBD was not what it used to be.

‘‘It is disappointing that the council has let the heart of the city fail to such an extent,’’ he said. ‘‘Many plans have been discussed over the years and hundreds of thousands of dollars spent, only for these plans to end up in the too- hard basket or someone’s bottom drawer.’’

Mr Thomas said the Windmill was a family business, through and through.

‘‘I trained my three sons to be qualified bakers and my daughter spent many hours as a shop assistant and generally doing anything she was asked.

My wife Julie was the accountant, wages clerk, teacher, cleaner – you name it, she’s done it, and she deserves a special thanks.’’