‘Terrible look’ for Kerikeri

The rebuild of a Kerikeri Laundromat is set to be completed in February - nine months after fire gutted the building.

Kerikeri Laundry Services, on Cobham Rd, and the neighbouring takeaway shop, were severely damaged after a suspected electrical fault in the ceiling sparked the fire early on May 24.

Owner Michelle Poole says she has been told by the insurance company, Cunningham Lindsey, that her business will be ready to reopen in February.

She understands that the shop she was operating out of will be demolished and rebuilt. Some of the roof needs replacing.

None of her coin-operated washing machines, dryers or the larger commercial washing machines were able to be salvaged after the blaze.

Poole has since been servicing local motels’ laundry with the help of a Kaikohe laundromat.

‘‘It’s been so hard but people have been nice about it, but I’ve had people asking me daily when it will reopen,’’ she says.

‘‘I don’t think its fair on the community and tourists, that it’s taken so long, it looks terrible. I could have built a house by now.’’

The now derelict site is the main Kerikeri bus stop for Intercity, bringing tourists and visitors to the area.

Before the fire, the laundromat employed six people, increasing to eight or nine for the busy summer months.

Poole says she now only has one employee.

She has looked at relocating her business, but high rent prices elsewhere and no suitable premises forced her to wait it out, she says.

The neighbouring takeaway shop had some water damage but a concrete wall between the premises helped firefighters to contain the blaze.

This shop has also remained close since the fire.

Kerikeri Business Association Chair Jason Vokes says he hasn’t heard comments or complaints about the site, but has personally wondered about the delay in rebuilding.

‘‘It’s not exactly a nice look. It’s well patronised by backpackers who might be affected by the closure for the summer.’’

He says he had assumed the delay was due to insurance claims.

The insurance consultant from Cunningham Lindsey was unavailable for comment.

The footpath has been diverted around the derelict building, which is near the local InterCity bus stop. Michelle Poole in front of her shop that was completely gutted by fire.