Trainworld owner manager John Burt is hoping someone will take on the business so it doesn't have to close. Video / Warren Buckland
Napier icon Trainworld reached the end of its line on Monday with owner John Burt closing its doors for the final time.
Trainworld had been stationed at Dickens St in Napier for the past 20 years and Burt said Monday was one of the saddest days he's ever experienced inhis 80 years.
"I don't want to see it gone from Napier – I don't want to see it close down but unfortunately I have no choice," he said.
"It's beyond my personal capability to keep it running by myself."
However, Burt revealed that there is a potential buyer in the wings.
Trainworld owner John Burt said he is incredibly sad about closing the Napier attraction. Photo / Paul Taylor
He said they haven't signed anything yet and are currently doing their due diligence.
"If they take it on they have youth on their side, a youngish family, enthusiasm and knowledge which is what this place requires."
Having been diagnosed with cancer last year the 80-year-old said he is confident he'll beat that, but he said it made him think that some things needed to come to a halt.
"Sadly cruise ships and lack of international visitors has basically bought Trainworld to its financial knees. It's never made any money, ever, but it's never had any debt either," he said.
Burt said the attraction always made enough money to cover its bills, no one was ever paid there and was just a "voluntary labour of love".
Trainworld opened on Dickens St in Napier in 2003. Photo / File
He said all day he was thinking about how hard it would be to lock the door and say goodbye one last time.
However, Burt said his retail store Trainworld Model and Hobby has been booming since the pandemic hit last year.
"It's got to the point where I'm running out of stock and am struggling to get shipments in to replace the sold stock."
He said Covid-19 triggered many old train lovers to get their tracks and train sets out of the attic and pick the hobby back up again - he added that younger people were also getting into buying model trains.
The train modeller's intention is to keep the retail store running at Trainworld and close off the exhibition area to the public – with the hope that the potential owners will save the iconic Napier attraction.
In 2019 Trainworld experienced a spate of burglaries, between that and the lack of tourists due to Covid-19, Burt said the only choice was to close indefinitely.
