Last drinks for The Jolly Potter owner
After more than 44 years in the hospitality industry, Laurie Sullivan will soon pour his last pint.
Temuka venue The Jolly Potter will pass into new hands for the first time in more than two decades next month.
The restaurant has been owned by Sullivan for 23 years, but will soon come under new management.
The sale has given the hospitality veteran mixed emotions, but the knowledge the restaurant will be handed over to a familiar face has helped.
New owner Julie Pelvin has worked at The Jolly Potter for about 10 years, Sullivan said.
He was planning to stay on part time for awhile to help ease Pelvin into the top job.
After that? Well, bowls, golf, and a spot of travel were all on the agenda.
The sale marks the end of a 44 year career in the hospitality industry that began at The Crown Hotel in Temuka.
As Sullivan puts it, a three month job turned into a career.
He has seen plenty of changes over the years, from changes to opening hours to the emergence of the ‘‘pre-loading’’ culture.
That culture had caused problems for publicans, he said.
‘‘Pre-loading at home is now the common practice with young onesdrink cheaper alcohol at home or a party and then head out on the town,’’ he said.
‘‘In earlier years when pubs closed earlier it was the other way around - pub first and then off to parties. Once again it is a price issue which is still not really confronted in the new licensing laws.’’
Alcohol prices have also changed dramatically, with 46 cent jugs the norm at the start of Sullivan’s career.
Sullivan will hand over the reins of The Jolly Potter to Pelvin from October 10.
He did not believe she would be making any major changes to the restaurant.
‘‘It’s been a pretty popular wee place,’’ he said.
Three injured in crash
Three people were injured in a crash near Lake Pukaki just after 1pm yesterday. A St John spokesperson said three people were treated at the scene after the ambulance service was notified of the crash just after 1pm. He said those injured had sustained minor injuries and none had been transported to hospital. Fire communications shift manager Andrew Norris said fire crews were called out to the crash, involving a truck and a car, at the intersection of State Highway 8 and Hayman Rd near Lake Pukaki, just after 1.45pm. Norris said none of those involved had been trapped in the vehicles.
Doctors not striking
The New Zealand Resident Doctors Association was still hoping for agreement with the country’s 20 District Health Boards over safer doctor rosters and was not planning immediate strike action. Negotiations which started in January for the national Multi-Employer Collective Agreement (MECA) which sets the terms and conditions for DHBemployed resident medical officers has reached a stalemate. The union accused the district health boards of delay tactics and the DHBs accused the NZRDA of an ‘all or nothing approach’. The catalyst for the disagreement was over long hours and many consecutive shifts on doctor rosters. An NZRDA spokesperson said the union was not balloting on strike action at this time. Tensions between the two groups was rising as the DHB representatives adjourned mediation last week for another two weeks to consider their position. The NZRDA was gathering feedback from its members over their preparedness to take action but would not move on that outcome until it heard back from the health boards.
Wonky Donkey man to visit
Children’s performers and authors Craig Smith (‘Wonky Donkey man’) and Dean O’Brien (‘Mr Yipadee’) will be playing two shows in Timaru on Friday, October 7. Both shows will be at the Highfield Primary School Hall on Rimu St. The first is at 9am and the second at 11.30am. Tickets are available from Newmans MusicWorks on Stafford St.