Business owners receive gastro crisis compensation

Hastings Mayor Lawrence Yule talks to business owners at Pipi Cafe in Havelock North during the gastro crisis back in August. Photo / Paul Taylor

Thirty-seven businesses have been selected to receive financial help after the gastro crisis rocked the village in August.

A council spokeswoman said 48 business owners applied and 37 of these qualified for assistance.

"Hastings District Council put the plan in place to help businesses that were at risk of closing down or severely affected by the illness that struck down a third of the village's population."

On average each business received $4783.

The council announced early September that $100,000 of financial help would be provided to businesses severely affected.

Businesses on the brink of closure were top priority and others significantly affected were second.

The Village Butcher owner, Paul Greaney, said he had to use the money he saved for a water-free machine on keeping his business afloat during the gastro crisis while Kilim Turkish owner Fatih Cakmak said business was down 30 per cent.

Local business owners had to fill out application forms with details such as monthly cash flow to loan repayments, dating back to July last year.

Council staff are tabling the results of the financial assistance package at council's meeting tomorrow.

The staff report said the process went smoothly with business owners expressing appreciation for the way staff handled it.

"Applicants have been particularly pleased to see council officers meeting with them in person at their place of work, regardless of the outcome of their respective applications."

It was one of many initiatives put in place by council, central government and charitable agencies in the weeks of the contamination.

Other initiatives included refunding a quarter year's water supply rate, organising bottled and tank water for residents, liaising with the Ministry of Social Development for Work and Income help for residents and co-ordinating welfare teams to check on residents.