Decorator hopes to restore store

The historic Bannockburn general store could soon be re-opening for retailing after Cromwell woman Aimee Sherriff gained approval for her interior design/decorating business proposal from the building's owners, the Stewart family. Mrs Sherriff is pictured with part-owner Gordon Stewart, of Bannockburn, as the pair await the outcome of a resource consent application to re-establish commercial use of the building following a Central Otago District Council hearing earlier this week.

Cromwell woman Aimee Sherriff's proposal to start an interior design and decorating business in the building was considered at a CODC resource-consent hearing earlier this week.

Built in 1881 by a miner's co-operative, the building was originally run as a combined store, butchery and bakery, then converted into a general store.

It continued operating until 1971.

Fifteen months ago, the building was reroofed as "stage one" of its revival, part-owner Gordon Stewart said.

His father, James Stewart, was the last owner of the general store before its closure.

Mr Stewart is a CODC councillor and Cromwell Community Board member.

Mr Stewart said his family had been approached countless times through the years by people wanting to lease the building, particularly restaurant and cafe businesses.

While the Stewarts had always wanted to see the store re-opened at some point, neither the time nor the proposed business ventures had been entirely suitable - until a persistent Mrs Sherriff came knocking earlier this year.

"The sort of thing Aimee is talking about is feasible now where it might not have been feasible even just a handful of years ago," Mr Stewart said.

"I'd like to see it become active again."

Mrs Sherriff's application to re-open the store was publicly notified and six submissions were made, all strongly in support.

"People are eager to see the store with some life again. I think that's going to be a big pull for people," Mrs Sheriff said.

"I see really good things for Bannockburn having another store open . . . it's going to bring people out here to the area."

Mrs Sheriff applied for a broad consent that would allow for other commercial activities - including exhibitions, historic displays and retailing of general merchandise - in the future.

The consent did not cover cafes or licensed premises.

The application proposes internal bracing of the stacked-stone walls of the building, which would involve minor alterations to the exterior, however nothing else would be changed structurally.

The facade would remain unaltered.

The alterations are necessary to comply with the Building Code.

The work has been approved by the New Zealand Historic Places Trust.

Mrs Sheriff said she planned to recycle old shelving and use as much of the building's original material as possible, including the shop counter, to retain authenticity.

She hoped the store would re-open early next year if consent was granted.

Questions relating to the building's off-site parking and whether it would require sealing were raised by the panel at the consent hearing on Tuesday.

A final decision is expected in the next week.