Count down to a ‘new’ Countdown
Paihia’s Countdown supermarket is due to re-open next month thanks to a Maori trust.
The town’s only supermarket closed abruptly in September following a dispute between Progressive Enterprises, which owns the Countdown chain, and Kerikeri businessman Ian Blakeman, who leased the land and owned the building.
Countdown’s lease on the building expired on August 1, but the company did not move out until a court order forced it to vacate the building on September 10. Staff were going about their work when security guards arrived, ordered everyone out and erected a fence around the supermarket.
In the interim Countdown opened a temporary store in the old Paihia fire station in the town centre.
It is understood the Te Tii (Waitangi) B3 Trust, which owns the land, bought the building last month following lengthy negotiations with the previous owner, and will allow Countdown to re-open. The supermarket is now undergoing a major refit, and is due to open next month. The date has yet to be decided.
Te Tii B3 Trust chairman Wiremu Tane said getting Countdown back onsite with a long-term lease had been the trust’s primary goal since the supermarket had been forced to stop trading last year.
“The trust beneficiaries have provided dedicated support to ensure the opportunity was not lost, visualising a bright future for commercial enterprise ahead,’’ Mr Tane said.
Countdown’s acting managing director, Steve Donohue, said the trust had been instrumental in making sure the company was able to provide a fullservice supermarket for the people of Waitangi, Paihia, Russell and surrounding areas.
“I’d like to thank everyone involved at the trust, particularly the board, staff and chairman, who have done a tremendous job bringing the parties together and negotiating this positive outcome,” he said.
The supermarket will employ about 25 people. No decision has been made about the future of the temporary Countdown on Williams Road.
Te Tii B3 Trust owns much of the land between Puketona Road and the Waitangi bridge. Its acquisition of the supermarket, and reportedly also the neighbouring Nautilus Motel, means it now also owns most of the buildings.