Hutchinson's to shift down the road

Hutchinson's directors Hamish Gibbs and Nathan Hutchinson are moving to a new premises in August. Photo/Glenn Taylor

Hastings furniture and flooring business Hutchinson's is set to move premises due to building strengthening to fix the Municipal Building's earthquake vulnerability.

Hutchinson's co-director Hamish Gibbs said the business would move to the nearby Kershaws Building on Heretaunga St East in August while Hastings District Council undertook building strengthening work on the Municipal Building.

The building, which hosts Hutchinson's and the Hawke's Bay Opera House, was identified as earthquake prone earlier this year.

Hutchinson's directors Hamish Gibbs and Nathan Hutchinson were made aware of the risk but decided to continue to operate from the building.

Mr Gibbs said the business was moving to allow the council to make decisions about how it would go about strengthening the building.

The strengthening work was likely to be a major distraction for customers and staff.

The move would give the council free access to the building, Mr Gibbs said.

He said the new location, which as within walking distant from the business' current premises, was "ideal".

"There is some fit out work to do, but we are confident that our customers will only notice a small disruption while we relocate.

"After all, the new shop is within easy walking distance of our current location."

However, Mr Gibbs was determined to return to "Hutchinson's corner" when the premises became available again.

"This location is well-known and we have made it very clear to the council that we wish to return."

Hastings Mayor Lawrence Yule said the council looked forward to working with Hutchinson's again once the building strengthening work has been completed.

Hutchinson's will move to their new premises at 226 Heretaunga St East on August 1.