By Kira Carrington, Local Democracy Reporter
Peter Blaha, owner of food truck DFC Bakery, hopes to stay on at the High St site that was bought by the Marlborough District Council in May. Photo: LDR / Kira Carrington
The owners of several food trucks on a vacant central Blenheim lot are worried they will be turfed out after the land was bought by the Marlborough District Council.
The 1147m² property, spanning five titles between High St and Wynen St, beside Te Kahu o Waipuna, was bought by the council in May for $1.8 million.
Mayor Nadine Taylor said the site was earmarked for development as a community space, and the council would seek input from the public as it explored options.
One of the food truck owners, Peter Blaha of DFC Artisan Bakery, said he was notified by the owner about two weeks before the sale that the land was to be sold.
Blaha said he hoped the council would allow them to stay put.
"I would be happy if we can make some deal with them," Blaha said.
"We are small businesses … You invest your money into [the business]. I feed my family, I pay the taxes as well."
The food truck owners like parking up in the space next to Blenheim’s new library and art gallery, Te Kahu o Waipuna. Photo: LDR / Kira Carrington
Blaha said the council could incorporate the food trucks into a space that would attract more foot traffic to the CBD. He reckoned the lot could fit 100 people.
"You can make [some] kind of small market here, even a small festival," Blaha said.
Boseong Jeong, owner of food truck Sasa Express, said while she would have to close shortly as she was pregnant, she was also hopeful that a long-term arrangement could be made that allowed her to stay on at the site.
Alson Su, owner of Orange Eats, said he had already been given notice to leave.
"They told us the latest we could let this place is mid-June," Su said. "We are still waiting for some other places to move over [to]."
A council spokesperson said that under the Reserves and Other Public Places Bylaw 2017, nobody could conduct commercial activity on public land without the council's written approval.
"When mobile food truck owners have approached council for space in the CBD in the past, these applications have been declined in deference to other rate paying businesses in the CBD," the spokesperson said.
"However, in this instance, council is prepared to work with the food truck operators to both understand their previous arrangements and to look at suitable options going forward."
Anna Hamman, owner of neighbouring business The Sewing Store, said it would be great if the trucks could stay.
"The food trucks have been a welcome addition actually. It's been quite nice knowing that there's a few little local businesses having a spot there."
Jay Sirichan hopes a new community development in the empty lot will bring people back into central Blenheim. Photo: LDR / Kira Carrington
Jay Sirichan, owner of nearby Japanese restaurant Bento, said the central Blenheim businesses could do with a new attraction.
"Business is quite slow.
"I would like a new space to make things more interesting for the people in town.
"The new library is very good. In the weekend there are a lot of people with their kids. But just, I think it's not enough."
* LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
