Barkers developments on track for September
Barker told Stuff this week said he hopes the new Barkers store and eatery will open in September.
‘‘We hope to complete renovations to the old vicarage at the same time,’’ Barker said.
‘‘I am developing the new building which Barkers will lease and operate as a Barkers store and eatery. The existing Barkers store will shift across Talbot St into the new building, which will include parking for up to 32 cars.’’
The former St Mary’s Church Vicarage, a category two listed heritage building that was built in 1900 in the English arts and crafts style, will be transformed into boutique accommodation overlooking the Waihi River, Barker said. ‘‘The old building is being completely rewired, replumbed, re-roofed, re-painted, insulated and re-lined and refitted in a style that is approved by Heritage New Zealand,’’ Barker said.
‘‘It will have six premium rooms – three upstairs and three downstairs – each with its own ensuite and there is both an upstairs and downstairs sitting room which can also be hired as extra living space for groups and families. A website will be developed for on-line bookings.’’
Barker said the reason the company had invested in Geraldine was because they saw it as a premium location, not just a short-stop town for motorists.
‘‘At the moment a lot of people pass through and they get an ice-cream, use the toilet and fill up with petrol,’’ he said.
‘‘But we believe there is opportunity to delay people for much longer if we can create things for them to do here.’’
He said there was already good accommodation in Geraldine but the old vicarage will raise standards to a new level.
‘‘This is more boutique, more premium and therefore encourages a different type of people to come to Geraldine.’’
Barker said resource consents and building consents had been issued by the Timaru District Council, and both the eatery and vicarage will be open for business soon after both projects are complete.
He said Barkers will celebrate its 50th birthday later this year and work was under way to document and publish the story of Barkers in time for a celebration event later in the year.
‘‘This investment in Geraldine is a fitting way to commemorate the 50 years since Anthony and Gillian Barker started making elderberry wine from wild elderberries in a converted farm building on their Pleasant Valley Farm,’’ he said. ‘‘Today’s factory, employing over 200 staff, is still located on the same corner of the original family farm.’’