Former dairy opposite Whanganui's Kowhai Park to be transformed to takeaway business

Bond, Aey and Mayson Chaisongkhram are looking forward to opening their new business opposite Kowhai Park.

The former Kowhai Park dairy, a victim of the 2015 floods, is getting a spruce-up and a new lease of life as a takeaway food shop.

Bond and Aey Chaisongkhram plan to open The Park Takeaway on the corner on Anzac Pde and Nile St in September, once renovations are complete. They will sell Thai takeaways, fish and chips, burgers and other takeaway food.

"I come from a Thai background and have been cooking Thai food for more than 20 years," Bond Chaisongkhram said.

"I've also cooked in a western kitchen in a restaurant in Australia. I love to cook."

They previously owned a cafe in Putaruru in South Waikato but sold it to move to Australia to be with Bond Chaisongkhram's ill father.

"He passed away and we moved back to New Zealand and I was looking for something to do," Chaisongkhram said.

"We had been looking for months and we found this place within our price range. We had been to Whanganui on holiday with my father in 2014. We think this is a nice town.

"My wife and I agreed this will be the place for us to raise our child and do this business."

Having Kowhai Park across the road was a bonus for the couple's son Mayson, 3.

They are not fazed by the prospect of future flooding on Anzac Pde and have been able to get insurance.

"We have been here four weeks and people have been asking what's happening. People seem happy we are going to be doing this."

They aim to open on September 4 if work goes to plan.