Ernest’s future still unclear
Ernest Waterworth says the future is still cloudy for him and his business.
The 87- year- old owner of Regent Jewellers, in Main Rd, Tawa, said the shop he had been in for 25 years was still humming along.
He spoke to Kapi-Mana News early last month about not having had a permanent lease for two years, leading to anxiety about what his future might hold. Last week he said the matter was still in the hands of lawyers, but he was hopeful of a solution. He has been chuffed at the support from regular customers and strangers alike.
‘‘When you hear that there’s maybe a petition being organised to present to the landlord on your behalf, well, that’s just really nice,’’ he said.
Meanwhile, Euon Murrell, head of the Tommy’s franchise in the Porirua basin, said he was receiving flak because of the talk that his office in Main Rd was manoeuvring to take over Waterworth’s premises.
Tommy’s in Tawa had an upstairs/downstairs set-up that was not ideal, he said, but he was approached by the owners of Waterworth’s building, not the other way around.
‘‘I had to say no because we have a long-term lease where we are,’’ he said. ‘‘Of course if there is a space we’d consider it, but I’m stuck really. This is certainly not a case of me actively trying to push someone out of their shop, but of an owner looking to make a business decision.’’
In Murrell’s judgment, the landlord, Maureen Bowring, had acted professionally.
‘‘There’s no lease in place or surety here, but it’s nothing really to do with me – I’m just in the background.’’
Waterworth, meanwhile, said his shop wasn’t badly affected by the May 14 floods.
‘‘Just a bit of water came in the front door. Nothing to worry about and nothing compared to what some of the other shops faced,’’ he said.