City shops hurt by SkyCity fire want compensation

Some local businesses are intent on getting something back for financial losses suffered as a result of the SkyCity Convention Centre fire.

Central-city business association Heart of the City says it is working to make it happen.

While bigger businesses in the area like Countdown and ANZ may have found the chaos in the CBD manageable, many smaller businesses like liquor and convenience stores weren’t so lucky.

Sandeep nath Dasi, who works for Liquor and Tobacco City on Victoria St, said local shop closures were significant. “For I think two days, we closed the store . . . think everything got closed — like ANZ, Westpac, Countdown, the [nearby] restaurants."

Mr Nath Dasi says that over Christmas the construction of the City Rail Link will have more negative effects on the business.

Mohammed Al-Amleh, who works for City Centre Convenience Store on the corner of Victoria and Federal streets, said that the store was badly affected by the fire.

“In a normal day, it went down around 70 percent of work…I did 12 hours, and hardly [any people] came in.”

As well as trusting that business over summer will help make up for the losses, Mr Al-Amleh is hoping the business will be compensated.

“If we get, you know, whatever we lost on those three days, it would be awesome, you know, and that is our right. We should do.”

Similarly, at City Star Convenience Store opposite Elliot Street, Adil is optimistic that the increase in business over summer will make up for lost numbers.

Heart of the City spokesperson Viv Beck says the business association is liaising with the Auckland Chamber of Commerce and the Ministry of Social Development, as well as other relevant governing agencies, to work out how to compensate the businesses affected.

“We would hope that people who were seriously impacted would get compensation . . . all cases are different and anyone who suffered should get compensation,” said Ms Beck.

The fire occurred on October 22, starting around 1.15pm and burning for four days. The convention centre was under construction and has had its completion date pushed back on multiple occasions, with this being the biggest setback.

SkyCity has been approached for comment.