Business: Couple savour new food challenge

Donna and James Wham are keeping Victoria Fish Shop "100 per cent Kiwi owned". Photo/File

Donna and James Wham don't mind admitting they have jumped in at the deep end with their decision to take over Victoria Fish Shop in the Avenue but they're excited about embarking on their new venture.

They have been on their own in the shop, opposite KFC, for a week now and say they got through that first week without a hitch, even on Friday and Saturday, the busiest trading days of the week.

"We decided it was time for change so we grabbed the bull by the horns," Mrs Wham said.

Husband James had been working in the supermarket industry for 25 years and until the change of business direction was dry goods manager at New World supermarket.

The couple said they had had "fantastic support" from the previous owners who had given them as much training as they could before the business changed hands a week ago.

"And we're proud to be keeping the business 100 per cent Kiwi owned."

There are four part-time staff who have stayed on after the business changed hands.

Mrs Wham said they were not looking at changing things and the winter trading hours would remain as they are. The shop is open from 4-8pm Tuesday to Sunday but stays open until 8.30pm on Friday.

On the other side of the business coin, there have been a number of businesses closing or indicating a pending closure.

These include the Hidden Grove cafe on Wilson St which closed its doors a matter of weeks after opening.

Also closing is Jean Jones women's wear store and the Mi-Store magazine and gift shop. Jean Jones is blaming slow trading. The store has been trading in Wanganui for almost 20 years.

Mi-Store said business has dropped to a level where it was not viable to carry on. Mi-Store will shut its doors at the end of this week.

And workplace safety equipment supplier Protector Safety has closed its Ingestre St store with the company saying the Palmerston North branch will handle Wanganui inquiries.