Everything must go in assets sale

An assets sale following the closure of a service station in central Blenheim could give new meaning to the term ‘‘lolly scramble’’.

The Challenge Station, on Queen St, was put into liquidation on December 28, after owing close to $350,000 to creditors, including $9000 to employees.

The liquidator’s first report estimated the sale of assets – everything from lollies and ice blocks to tyres and oils – could bring the amount owed down to $172,309.

The report had not carried out an audit, but was a ‘‘summarisation of financial information supplied by the company’’, it said. Liquidation was expected to be completed within three months.

An auction would take place at the Queen St site on Saturday at 11am, with viewing open from 9am.

Auctioneer John Walker said the auction would have ‘‘everything from lollies to oils’’ as it included everything in the shop, as well as the garage attached.

‘‘It’s going to be a one-stop shop,’’ Walker said.

‘‘I don’t like having to do liquidation auctions, it’s what happens when people don’t support local businesses but I understand it’s a tough industry,’’ he said.

‘‘I feel for the staff that used to work there, when something like this happens it affects so many parties.’’

The owners of the property, Peter and Viv Bratton, leased the building to the service station owner. It had six petrol pumps and a garage that serviced vehicles.

Peter Bratton said they purchased the property with the intention it would ‘‘top up their retirement’’.

He said he had visited Blenheim and thought ‘‘what a beautiful town it is’’ so he decided to invest in the property.

‘‘We wouldn’t even mind living there [Blenheim], but we have other ties up north at the moment, so we can’t seriously do that,’’ Bratton said.

‘‘It is a nice town, and we just thought, ‘why not Blenheim’. We don’t let things like this pass us.’’

Bratton said he would be in Blenheim this week to decide what to do with the property, and to do his own valuation of the site.

‘‘There’s no set plans as to what’s going to happen. We’re looking into other avenues for the building,’’ he said. ‘‘We think it’s a great spot, so watch this space, it’s going to be great.’’