Shop part of community, 'meeting place for locals'

Waitaki MP Jacqui Dean says Foodstuffs appears to have made its decision to withdraw from Millers Flat for financial reasons but there was an element of social responsibility as well.

She was commenting on the news the town's only store is closing on Sunday. A public meeting is being held in the Millers Flat Hall at 7.30pm today to outline the reasons and discuss options for the store's future.

Mrs Dean said she was concerned for the community.

"This is Millers Flat's only shop and it has been a part of the community for many decades.

"This store provides an important service, is a focal point for the community and is also a meeting place for the locals.''

Asked about Mrs Dean's comments, Foodstuffs head of external relations, Antoinette Laird, said the decision to close the store had been made by the owners, not Foodstuffs.

Known as Faigan's Store, the shop has operated in different forms for more than 100 years. The store included a Four Square supermarket but Foodstuffs is withdrawing that.

A community trust took over the store 29 years ago. Last week, trust chairman Eoin Garden said it was hoped to retain the store.