No plans for empty Queen St space
November’s earthquake brought a sudden and literal shake-up to the Blenheim town centre, and one street is still finding its feet.
Several businesses on Queen St were forced to move following the 7.8-magnitude disaster after a twostorey building was red-stickered and later demolished.
The lot remains empty seven months after the quake and the family trust that owns it has no plans for its immediate future.
Meanwhile four store fronts between Arthur St and Charles St remain vacant as landlords struggle to fill the space.
Blenheim Business Association chairman Anthony Mullen said it was not always easy or quick to replace retailers but the buildingsized hole left by the post-quake demolition did not help.
‘‘We would like [the family trust] to do something sooner rather than later. In an ideal world, it would be good if they made some plans in the next 12 months,’’ he said.
‘‘You can’t just sit on your hands for the rest of your life.
‘‘They own the land so it is up to them. . . It just looks like an eyesore, that’s all.’’
The family trust that owned the Queen St building ordered its demolition in early January.
The decision to demolish it fol- lowed a stalemate with the Marlborough District Council after the owners exceeded a deadline to either renovate or tear down the damaged building.
Anita’s Organic Store had been barred from the premises after it was red-stickered, and moved to Wynen St.
Trust member Bridget Chin said the family had yet to decide how to use the vacant land.
‘‘There are three of us in the trust and we are all in different places. We just need to get together and discuss it,’’ she said.
One business next to the demolished Queen St building had finally found a home after months of uncertainty. Trade My Craft, an alteration and bridal business, was on the second floor in the building next door.
Owner Sandy James had to work from home after the building was yellow-stickered following the quake. James could have gone back to the building but instead relocated the business to a new shop on High St, which opened on Tuesday.
Now on the ground floor of a building, James said she was happy to be back in business.
‘‘The quake changed town, it changed us,’’ she said. ’’I do like being back. It does feel good after months of being in limbo. I like being able to get up in the morning and put my key in the front door.’’
James said people might need to be patient with Queen St as the region was still in recovery after the November quake.
‘‘It is very expensive to build, especially if you don’t have something going in there,’’ she said. Take a look at Christchurch. How long has it taken them? We only have one little building.’’
A Marlborough District Council spokesman said the council would like to see a new business or retail outlet at the demolished Queen St site, but it was up to the owners to progress that.