Gone Potty owner Bridget Paape was told by the Central Otago District Council on Monday her shop needed to close the following day.
"It's all about just communicating. There's no communication," Ms Paape said.
She knew there were issues with her consent, but had not been aware of what appear to be changing timeframes for
her to get the paperwork in order.
She asked the council for help to remedy the matter — but was told the council could not help.
She accepts she missed a letter from the council on January 6 telling her of the closure date, but said poor communication was the crux of the matter.
Ms Paape relocated from Dunedin and opened her Dunstan Rd, Alexandra, business about 18 months ago.
Six months later an email arrived from the council saying she did not have appropriate building consent for a commercial building.
"I said to the council, well, hold on a minute, you've known all this time, and you've sat in your office, and you've never come and talked to me about this.
"This is what's really brassed me off.
"I mean . . . the council knew what was going on, because it was a talk of the town that I was opening."
Ms Paape said there was initially no time frame given for her to comply but later was told she had 12 months.
Nevertheless, in December, just nine months later, a letter arrived saying she would have to close the shop.
Work to meet the council requirements began immediately, including fire protection, but there were few people who could do that work and it took months to arrange.
And no-one from the council had checked to see how far along the new work was and when it would be complete.
"I've had friends come in and people I know who have contacted me. They were going to open little businesses here but they listened to my drama and they said it's just too expensive and too hard.
"So that's why they're struggling to get new businesses here because the council don't want to help.
"They're just making it too hard."
Central Otago District Council infrastructure, planning and regulatory group manager Quinton Penniall said the council was supportive of small businesses and had worked with Ms Paape to "guide her through the process".
"We must also balance that support with our obligations to apply the relevant legislative and regulatory requirements, including the Building Act framework and associated codes, consistently and fairly."
Responsibility for ensuring appropriate consents lay with business owners and their contractors, he said.
"These situations are never pleasant, and enforcement is always challenging.
"In the first instance, we aim to work constructively with the owner to achieve compliance. However, where matters remain unresolved over time, council must act in line with the statutory requirements and take the necessary steps."
A routine resource consent monitoring inspection revealed no building consent was obtained for the change from an unlined shed/garage to a retail space, he said.
Ms Paape said she had asked her builder multiple times about a building consent and he had assured her none was needed as it was just a "fit out".
Mr Penniall said the council had worked with Ms Paape over an "extended period of time".
"Ultimately, where identified issues relate to fire safety and public access, council must ensure the building meets the legislative requirements."
Mr Penniall said the council was restricted by legislation, but would review the wording of its emails to make the directions clearer and reduce the risk of misunderstandings.
Ms Paape said her only option was to do as the council said.
"[I've] shut the doors and I'm going to reapply again. I'll start right from scratch. But fortunately, I've just about got all the paperwork and everything done."
One saving grace was she could still sell online and had an active social media profile as the unplanned costs for compliance were high. A local restaurant had offered to display stock for her and she would meet people outside her building if they wanted to buy something.
She remained disappointed with the way it had been handled by the council.
"They're quick at sending you accounts, but not very good at helping you with the whole process."
