Bunnings move

Some might think the less said

about Bunnings decision to pull out of here the better. But those affected have had little enough chance already to say their piece, thanks to the Australian owners’ timing of the announcement, just as the local press shut down for the holidays. A typical piece of transTasman sharp practice, that. Many jobs gone at virtually no notice, and much inconvenience for the customers. Those weasel words about not being able to provide service to their preferred level don’t wash with this writer. It’s all down to money, of course. One waits with interest to see what more lucrative use is, or quite possibly already has been, identified for the abandoned site. Substandard service or not, we’d have rather they’d gone on providing it. As it is, from having three hardware outlets in town 10 years ago, we now have just one, in small premises and carrying an unavoidably limited range.

Meanwhile, on a more positive note, may I help give a big welcome to our latest retail venture. I’ve been saying for years we need a deli or similar in Waikanae, and now we’ve got the Fusion Food Haus giving Mahara Place a much-needed shot in the arm, with its unusual mixture of Asian and European. They’ve apparently been having trouble getting some of their stock into the country, which is why some shelves still look a bit on the bare side, but hopefully that’ll soon be over. And the delightful lady who runs it is only too ready to advise on what to buy for a particular purpose and how best to use it, a level of service you just don’t get from a supermarket however wellstocked. Give it a go, Waikanae! JOHN CLARKE WAIKANAE