By Hamish Clark
Shopkeepers are having to find alternative ways to stay in business after being forced out of Christchurch’s Merivale Mall because of the earthquake risk.
Among them is a hair salon which has found temporary accommodation in a rest home.
Vicki O'Fee is used to doing cuts and colours at the mall. Instead she is making do at Holly Lea Retirement Village at the top of the staircase.
“A girlfriend manages this rest home and our staff was here in an hour and a half trading, so amazing,” she says.
They are among 20 shop owners who were forced to out of the mall on the weekend after concerns about the safety of part of the shopping complex.
Tenants still none the wiser were this morning called to a meeting with the mall owner.
The meeting, held behind closed doors, lasted an hour and locked out retailers finally got some answers.
Kevin Gainsford of Sergio’s Menswear says the problem comes down to a report Cera released this morning.
“There are problems with the concrete floor and they are trying a hundred ways to solve it,” he says.
The concrete floor in question is the one upstairs that overhangs the centre of the shopping complex.
Mall owner Tower Investments said it lacked significant strength to withstand another significant quake.
“We don't feel that safe but it hasn't fallen down yet,” says Mr Gainsford.
Shop owners will be allowed back in to get some stock but they still do not know when they can reopen.
The Homestore’s Michelle Thompson shop owners do not have any dates.
“Everything is in limbo at the moment.”
While some may be waiting for months to reopen, Ms O'Fee considers herself one of the lucky ones; able to keep her business going and customers satisfied at her new shop in the rest home.
3 News