Clyde’s Recharge Bar has unexpectedly missed out on half a day's trading due to the closure of Clyde’s Sunderland St for infrastructure works, sparking the owner to arrange a public meeting tomorrow night.

Owner Gareth Watt had one of his baristas call him last Monday morning, June 3, to say all of the access to the cafe was blocked.

Gareth contacted Central Otago District Council (CODC) project manager Dan Kirkman by phone to get this corrected, and Dan said it would be fixed. 

“Nothing was done an hour and half later, so I turned signs around myself [so people could get to our door].”

Gareth said he was concerned about the lack of coordination and communication about the works in Clyde, which is why he’s holding a meeting at Recharge Bar, at 6pm on Wednesday, June 12, for impacted business owners and interested residents.

“It’s a chance for everyone to voice their opinions. Clyde business owners are meeting at 5.30pm and then everyone is welcome from 6pm.”

He’s invited Central Otago District Mayor Tim Cadogan and representatives from CODC, and Fulton Hogan.

Sunderland St, with works underway. PHOTO: Dan Kirkman/CODC

The businesses on Sunderland St are facing a long closure, according to a CODC press release (dated June 7), which stated Sunderland St would be closed between Naylor St and the Masonic Lodge from June 4 with the closure to remain in place through the winter.

Gareth said another recent closure ran for 10 days and on many of those days there was no one visibly working on anything.

Recharge Bar owner Gareth Watt and his daughter. PHOTO: Supplied 

“On two days [contracted workers] were actually on site.

 “In the winter [the Clyde businesses] need anything that comes into town.

“My main concern is that we want it completed as soon as possible . . . and not to drag on.”

CODC said the winter closure is to enable new footpaths to be built, the old underground water pipe to be replaced and an additional water supply pipe (rider main) installed. 

The extra pipe will future proof the water supply if one of the pipes needs repairing, or a new connection is added in the future, without having to turn off the water.

CODC project manager Dan Kirkman said he understood the street closure was frustrating for business owners, so they were focused on completing the job as quickly as possible.

Dan will be attending the meeting and answering questions relating to the Sunderland St work.