Hawke's Bay people and the transport industry will reap the benefits of national company Big Save's expansion plans after the firm bought the British American Tobacco (BAT) site in Ahuriri, Napier.
The site, which boasts the iconic Art Deco former Rothmans headquarters, was sold to the furniture retailer for an undisclosed sum, believed to be more than $16 million. The 4.6ha block also includes warehousing, an administration centre and storage facilities. Big Save Limited director Alison McKimm said today the company would immediately start operating a distribution centre from the site when it took over ownership in July, and jobs would be created.
"We aren't sure how many at this stage," she said. "We have a number of existing warehouses in Hawke's Bay so we will be using key local people to train new staff."
The calibre of Big Save's current Hawke's Bay staff attracted the company to invest in Napier, she said. A large retail store would be built on the property and the heritage-listed old Rothmans building would remain accessible to the public. It was a "huge" move for the New Zealand-owned company and Ms Mckimm said the Napier centre would become a distribution hub for its North Island stores. Jobs would flow on to other firms such as the Port of Napier and transport firms. Napier Mayor Barbara Arnott and Art Deco Trust executive director Robert McGregor have welcomed the sale.
Ms Arnott said the distribution centre would peg back some of the jobs that disappeared when BAT downsized its Napier business. "It is bringing jobs to Napier, and it will be a working site and I think that's very important," she said. Big Save's intention to allow public access boded well for the "jewel" of Napier - the Category One classified National Tobacco Company building.
"It will be preserved and retained, hopefully to the same quality. It's great for the city and I am very pleased," Mrs Arnott said. Reports the building would be turned into a museum - possibly funded by the Napier City Council - were premature. "We haven't spoken with Big Save but it's not even on the horizon."
The council's priority was upgrading the Hawke's Bay Museum and Art Gallery but it would look at a proposal once the $10m project was completed, Mrs Arnott said. "Whether it becomes a fully-fledged museum or not is a question for the future."
Mr McGregor said the Art Deco Trust looked forward to working with Big Save to keep the building accessible to tourists and the public.
