Wellington Cafe Lease Terminated – Peter Jackson
- The popular Wellington café, Chocolate Fish Café, will close its doors at the end of January 2025 after its lease was terminated by property owners Sir Peter Jackson...
- The Chocolate Fish café has been a Wellington institution for 15 years, operating at Shelly Bay under the ownership of John and Penny Pennington.
- In 2023, Sir Peter Jackson and Dame Fran Walsh purchased the Shelly Bay waterfront property after a proposed $500 million housing advancement was cancelled Stuff.
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Chocolate Fish Café Lease Terminated by Sir Peter Jackson and Dame Fran Walsh
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The popular Wellington café, Chocolate Fish Café, will close its doors at the end of January 2025 after its lease was terminated by property owners Sir Peter Jackson and Dame Fran Walsh.
Published: October 6, 2024, 01:52:29 NZDT
Background
The Chocolate Fish café has been a Wellington institution for 15 years, operating at Shelly Bay under the ownership of John and Penny Pennington. The café is known for its relaxed atmosphere and waterfront location.
In 2023, Sir Peter Jackson and Dame Fran Walsh purchased the Shelly Bay waterfront property after a proposed $500 million housing advancement was cancelled Stuff.
Lease Termination
On Tuesday, October 1, 2024, the Penningtons received notification from a representative of Jackson and walsh that thier lease would not be renewed, and would end on January 31, 2025. The Penningtons expressed their devastation at the news.
The Penningtons stated they were given no clear reason for the lease termination. They expressed shock and disappointment, especially given their long-standing presence at Shelly Bay and positive relationship with the previous owners.
Impact and Future Plans
The closure of the Chocolate Fish Café will impact the café’s staff and loyal customers. The Penningtons are currently exploring options for the future, but have not yet announced any specific plans.
The future use of the property by Jackson and Walsh remains unclear. Speculation suggests they may have plans for choice development or personal use of the waterfront site.
Timeline of Events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 2009 | Chocolate Fish Café opens at Shelly Bay. |
| 2023 | Sir Peter Jackson and Dame fran Walsh purchase the Shelly Bay property. |
| October 1, 2024 | Penningtons receive notice of lease termination. |
| January 31, 2025 | Chocolate Fish Café lease
|