Businesses angry as Mount hot pools shut

Mount Maunganui retailers are furious over the closure of Mount Hot Pools and many are fearful their businesses will suffer as a result.
Cafe owners and local businesses are already finding it tough after the closure of the Mauao base track and they're worried the temporary closure of the hot pools will spark another dramatic drop in trade.
Alay Mehta, owner the Hot Spot Superette, opposite the Mount Hot Pools, said he would lose about 25 per cent of business from patrons who used the hot pools.
"Obviously I'm pretty upset about this," he said.
"Normally they come in after the hot pools and buy a drink or an iceblock, the business is surely going to suffer. I hardly even see my regulars any more.
"Also with the track being half closed, people aren't around any more and this is just another upset that we're going to have to deal with."
Mr Mehta said a staff member from the Mount Hot Pools visited his dairy on Monday afternoon and gave him a notice alerting him to the closure of the hot pools.
"When I saw that I was furious, it will certainly affect the business and it's a huge shame."
Mr Mehta said winter was particularly slow and closure of the hot pools would mean fewer customers and put added pressure on the business.
Slowfish Beachfront Cafe owner Brigitte Van Weele said the council should have waited until after the Mauao base track was completed before closing the hot pools.
"It's one of the Mount's leading attractions and I think they should have waited until after the track repair work was complete, around August," she said.
"These pipes have been there for so many years and I think if they're left a little bit longer it probably won't make too much of a difference."
Miss Van Weele said business had been tough since the February storm that caused major slips on Mauao. Since the base track partially opened, she said business had slightly improved.
She feared the closure of the hot pools would have an effect on her business once again.
"A lot of people use the hot pools for therapy for their injuries and some of them come in here after for a coffee so while it is a shame it has to be temporarily closed, I think if it was permanently closed it would be disastrous.
"I am concerned because I don't think the hot pools management have put two and two together and it's disappointing because the track around the Mount is closed and obviously this too will have some effect on the business."
Tourism Bay of Plenty acting general manager Glenn Ormsby said while it was disappointing to hear the pools had closed, the outcome of the repair work would be beneficial in the long run.
"They're a very popular attraction, as is the base track of the Mount and if the pipes are leaking, they need to be maintained and something needs to be done to fix them.
"There's not a lot you can do if there's a leak and it will probably save us money in the future."
Mr Ormsby said with the issue of the partial closure of Mauao base track, he "didn't realise" how severe the slips on Mauao were and was looking forward to it reopening.
"At the time I didn't realise it was such a big slip and yes it has inconvenienced people but these things have to be done properly to make sure it's safe for the users," he said.
"We're really looking forward to it opening again because both these attractions are such an asset to the area."
Leanne Brown, Mount Mainstreet manager said a number of Mount Maunganui business owners would feel the effects of the closure of the Mount Hot Pools.