Masterton’s Supercheap Auto is set to reopen in October, after closing its doors in May. Above; the previous site. PHOTO/FILE
Auto giant finds new site to start up again
Supercheap Auto is set to reopen its doors at a new Masterton location, after the shock closure of its Chapel St store in May.
A spokesperson for the Super Retail Group confirmed the company would reopen at 30-38 Queen St.
“Covid-lockdown restrictions have impacted our opening date, but we are hopeful of opening in October with a staged store opening plan that should get us to full size fit-out within three months,” the spokesperson said.
“Once fully developed, the new site will be over 60 per cent larger than the previous store with more parking, and offering an even bigger shopping experience
for our customers.
“We promised to be back as soon as possible to serve our customers in Masterton, and we’re thrilled that we’re almost there.”
All permanent team members from the former store had been retained during the transition, the spokesperson said.
The retailer closed its Chapel St store in May, after lease negotiations with landlord Masterton Trust Lands Trust reached a dead-end.
It had operated from the premises for 17 years.
At the time, a spokesperson for the company said store-owners had been attempting to agree upon a new lease or extension of time with the building owners for a few months.
“This week, the Lands Trust requested our Supercheap Auto store close for trade immediately and vacate within 14 days,” they said.
“This week’s notice forces us to close our store for an interim period until an alternative site can be sourced.”
However, the trust’s general manager Andrew Croskery later disputed the tenant was given 14 days’ notice to vacate.
“There is no legal ability for the trust or any other landlord to unilaterally terminate a lease on 14 days’ notice or to require a current tenant to immediately cease trading. We have done neither,” he said.
“Leading into a lease expiry, we typically work with tenants to negotiate new leases and seek a market rent and market-based lease terms. These negotiations rely on productive two-way communication and require both parties to be satisfied.”
