Robin Irwin, at right, with her brother-in-law and namesake Robin Irwin, at the site of the new build. PHOTO/SUPPLIED
KAREN COLTMAN
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Knutson Supermarket Limited officially took possession of the land next to Carterton New World on Friday afternoon and foundations for a new building are under construction.
The new building [pictured] was designed by Silverwood Architects of Masterton.
Harry Knutson started operating a Carterton grocery shop in 1900 and in 1903 bought the land where New World is now. The family still own the site.
Foodstuffs bought the 1950s garage and land next to it and had plans to operate a petrol station there, company partner Robin Irwin says. But when Foodstuffs decided against this KSL was able to purchase the site.
The asbestos riddled former garage was demolished and the building of a commercial premises with space for three tenants was under way. The start of the new build and finalising of the land purchase was delayed by covid-19.
Irwin said that it was “nerve wracking” to have agreed to buy the site and then to have had covid-19 strike.
“We had to sit tight, and we also were aware that the covid-19 crisis may cause the tenants we were hoping for to not come on board,” she said. “But we are very fortunate.”
Company director Finlay Irwin said KSL planned to have the building ready for tenants early next year. The new building will be complementary to the New World operation. The layout of the carpark and access to the retail outlets will incorporate the space to the right of the building when facing it.
“We are really delighted to own it,” he said. “And really, to get a modern building on the High St for Carterton is great. Other towns have a modern feel with more buildings going in and Carterton really needs a boost I feel.
“It’s nice to do something for Carterton.”
Irwin said detail about the three tenancies will be available when contracts were finalised in a couple of weeks. One of the tenants hoped for is the Carterton chemist.
