Business owners rush cordon to get into buildings

Kurt Langer (centre, in black and white) organised the event. Photo / Sarah Ivey

About 120 Christchurch business owners stormed the inner-city cordon yesterday to get a message across to authorities that they want access to their premises - and they want it now.

The owners converged on the Civil Defence headquarters at the Christchurch Art Gallery at 2pm. They held placards and demanded to speak to Civil Defence director John Hamilton.

When no one came out of the centre to address them, they stormed a cordon, running into the streets of the CBD.

Soldiers guarding the cordon could do little to stop them, but police quickly escorted most of the business owners back outside the area.

One man who was sprinting up Hereford St to get to his business was chased by police on bicycles and tackled to the ground.

Bruce Williamson, owner of Ministry nightclub on Lichfield St, said small and medium business owners were being treated like idiots.

He said big corporate firms based in the CBD had been able to relocate and get up and running again, but those who owned smaller operations were struggling with the lack of communication from authorities and the restrictions on access to their property.

"We've absolutely had a gutsful. We left them alone for the first three weeks, we all appreciated that they had more important fish to fry trying to save people and find bodies," he said.

"But now that's over and they are till treating us like mushrooms."

Mr Williamson owns the building his nightclub is in and said it was badly damaged. He had engaged his own building assessor and demolition team and was happy to soak up the cost of doing what was needed to be done to his site.

He said business owners were capable of making sensible and safe decisions about their own buildings and he urged Civil Defence to let them in to get started.

"We went through the cordon to make the point that we knew what buildings were safe and what to keep away from, that we weren't going to endanger ourselves in the process.

"They're not letting us see what's going on in there, they're not letting us see what they're doing. We're assumed to be idiots.

"If there's no more urgency in the CBD, why are we being deprived of a role in what happens? It's out of control."

On Sunday Mr Hamilton told the Herald he wanted to give as many businesses as possible access to their premises for materials.

But, because of the risk posed by some unstable buildings, access to the inner cordon would remain tight.

"We'll take it building by building, almost, to provide safe access for people and it's going to take a long time ... it's a tough thing for businesspeople. But I'm not prepared to jeopardise any individual safety."

Mr Williamson was also frustrated at the lack of communication between authorities and business owners about their premises and what had already been demolished.

"They don't want us to have any involvement in the process, they think we are stupid. They are treating us like we are kids.

"The small and medium business owners - the cafes, bars, boutique shops and nightclubs - are the ones that are going to be buying back into the CBD ... getting it up and running again. And they are the ones being alienated. It's appalling, a PR disaster."

Police said last night that none of those who breached the cordon were arrested but "a number of individuals were given warnings".

"Police fully recognise the frustration of business owners," said Superintendent Andy McGregor.

"However, they must also understand those cordons are there for the very good reason."