Jolly Stockman to close doors

NOT SO JOLLY OUTLOOK: The Jolly Stockman is closing its doors on Monday after the owners have found no buyers for the Gisborne landmark country pub. Picture by Stephen Jones Photography

Gisborne country pub the Jolly Stockman is shutting shop for good on Monday.

The “Jolly” has been a cafe bar and restaurant, country hotel, and community hub over its 70 years.

The hotel on the corner of State Highway 2 and Saleyards Road at Matawhero closed in 2014, then reopened in 2015 under the guidance of owners Bruce and Piri Hall’s publican daughter Monica Williams (nee Hall).

Mrs Williams reinvented the pub as a “community hub”, with less focus on beer and a greater focus on families, recreation and the wellbeing of the community.

The Jolly Stockman has been great for Gisborne, she said.

Last year they made the top three finalists for Best Country Hotel at the Hospitality New Zealand Awards for Excellence.

“With other opportunities, adventures and commitments on the horizon, it is time for us to move on,” said Mrs Williams.

Mr Hall said they would likely hold an auction in November of all the chattels.

The Halls have been trying to sell the business for several years but there were just no buyers.

“We had previously leased to tenants but it really needed an owner-operator, and no one seemed interested in that role.

“With general conditions around an establishment’s compliance, the hospitality industry is getting harder and harder as the risks and responsibilities keep increasing, and the rewards keep decreasing.

“We are not crying into our milk, but we had to accept that the pressure from punters, the community and the rules and regulations did not match up.

“We have been the owners of the Jolly for over 20 years and it hasn’t been an easy decision,” he said.

On a positive note, the monthly Jolly Lifestyle Market will continue and will open opportunities for food vendors next month. This month’s market at the pub is this Sunday from 11am to 2pm.