The owners of a popular Wellington café are “devastated” after their landlords, Sir Peter Jackson and Dame Fran Walsh, ended their lease on Tuesday.
The Chocolate Fish Café has operated for 15 years at Shelly Bay under owners John and Penny Pennington.
Sir Peter Jackson and his partner Dame Fran Walsh bought the waterfront property in 2023 after a $500 million housing development was scrapped.
This week, the Penningtons were informed by a representative for Jackson and Walsh that their lease would end on January 31.
“This week, we were given the devastating blow, without warning… that they have decided to close our beloved café for good,” the café said on Facebook. “We don’t want to be forced to close. We don’t want to be shut down.”
Jackson and Walsh have invested heavily in the site since purchasing it two years ago and are understood to be planning further development, though details remain unclear.
Pennington told NZ Herald that the couple have long supported the café, and the news came as a shock.
“Despite our requests, we haven’t yet been given the opportunity to speak with Peter and Fran directly, and we are asking for that chance,” the Facebook post said.
No alternative venue has been offered, and the 28 staff were informed of the closure this week.
In a statement, Wingnut PM, a company run by Jackson and Walsh, told 1News in “occupancy discussions” have been going on with the owners of Chocolate Fish Café since early 2024.
“They are aware that the original ‘Submarine Barracks’ that houses the cafe requires substantial remedial work, including replacing the roof, restoring its historic frontage, interior renovations and applying a new coat of paint to the exterior,” the company said.
“Additionally, the parking area will have to be temporarily closed so it can be tar-sealed and properly finished.
“The scale of this work makes it impossible for the café to remain open for a period of time.
“Over the past year or so, we’ve been discussing this work and the pending closure with John and Penny.
“Contrary to the owners recent post, Wingnut has already offered to support John and Penny by allowing the cafe to remain open over the coming Summer period – even though it will significantly delay the start of these renovations.
“The Shelly Bay development is funded by a substantial private contribution, aimed at revitalising the Bay and offering a public space for all Wellingtonians to enjoy.”
