Sharp-Az’s Dave de la Cour says a cut in hours would impact his business.
Mobile traders who set up shop at Victoria Square are concerned their permitted hours of trading could be cut following a council review of permits.
Wild Kiwihearts founder Tricia Rabarts, right, insisted Dave de la Cour charge her twice his going rate for his work. Photo: Chris Gardner
Frankie and Flora flower truck florist Claudia Campbell and Sharp-Az mobile blade sharpener Dave de la Cour were surprised to hear of the review.
“Hopefully there’s no scary changes coming up,” said Campbell.
She occupies the site Tuesday to Friday from 9am until 4pm, missing the occasional Friday to cater for a wedding and adding the occasional Saturday or Sunday if it includes Valentine’s Day or Mothers’ Day.
A reduction in hours would be disastrous for Campbell who renewed her licence late last year.
“It’s my only job,” she said. “I am quite busy in the mornings and in the afternoons,” she said.
“I love it here, I have got my regulars, and it’s good to me outside all day.”
De la Cour has a permit from 9am until 5pm on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
Asked how any reduction in hours would impact his business, de la Cour said: “It definitely would impact it. Some days I work all day without a break and keep going until 5pm,” he said.
Cy Co Coffee owner and operator Miriam Ellis had a steady stream of regulars passing the time of day with her, having clearly built up a following.
“We come here just about every day, but I pike out if it’s raining,” said one man as he clutched his coffee.
“This is our little slice of community, a vital life line, and I have met a lot of people here.”
Wild Kiwihearts founder Tricia Rabarts enjoyed a coffee while she waited for her knives to be sharpened, insisting de la Cour charge her twice his going rate for his work.
The area regularly hosts a fish truck and in the lead up to Christmas became congested with the addition of berry and Christmas cookie stalls.
Waipā District Council transport manager Bryan Hudson told The News demand was growing so a permit review was underway.
The layby, between parallel parking spaces on Victoria Street, could hold three traders at a time and the council had applications for 12 traders, Hudson said.
“We are doing this review and once we have asked for their input we will make some decisions,” Hudson said.
“It’s a positive thing. It’s a busy town, people want to be in a high-profile place.”
Sharp-Az’s Dave de la Cour says a cut in hours would impact his business. Photo: Chris Gardner
