Strand's revival gets another boost

A new player has been announced for The Strand. A number of major redevelopments have been announced in recent weeks. Photo/File.

Another new cafe and bar is set to open on The Strand - further boosting the revival of the local hospitality industry.

Defy Cafe and Bar is set to open in the former Lone Star building next week, creating at least 20 jobs.

Owner-operator Kris Nielson, 35, said he and his business partner, Martin Roberts, would take over the lease of the building on Saturday.

The pair are in the middle of major renovation plans.

The facade is to be given a "new lick of paint" and the inside decor would be modernised and lightened with a red, black and light-coloured paint scheme, he said.

Mr Nielson said he and Mr Roberts, who between them had 35 years' experience in the hospitality industry, had secured an eight-year lease.

When the cafe-restaurant, bar and entertainment venue opened on December 13, it would provide seating for up to 100 patrons inside, and up to 50 in the outside dining area.

About 20 staff would be employed, including at least half a dozen former Work and Income clients.

"Our biggest point of difference is we're going to cater for almost everybody's dining and entertainment tastes, and we're going back to old-fashioned hospitality traditions," Mr Nielson said. Defy's menu would be "good comfort food" with an elegant twist.

"All our ingredients will all be sourced from locally, including New Zealand salmon and beef.

We will also offer gluten-free and vegetarian choices, and a special kids menu."

Mr Nielson said the head chef has more than 30 years' experience cooking all around NZ.

"We want Defy to be a great place for people to come to chill out and enjoy great food, great service, and entertainment.

"We want our patrons to have a fun, memorable experience from start to finish, which keeps our customers coming back again and again."

Originally from the Waikato, Mr Nielson and wife, Josie, and their two children moved to Tauranga in June, while his business partner had lived in the Bay for about 10 years.

"I have always wanted to open this sort of establishment in Tauranga but it was about finding the perfect location and the timing had to be just right," he said.