Mussel Inn reopening to car parking issue
The Mussel Inn car park. Empty today, full tomorrow, the nature of running a hospitality outlet in the Bay. Photo: Gerard Hindmarsh.
Playing at the 19th season re-opening of the Mussel Inn tomorrow night (18th) will be Nelson band The Immigrants. Known for their laconic, swinging country blues right through to hard-rocking originals and covers, they’re sure to attract a good crowd, plus more than a few cars parked outside the licensed premises.
Despite the lack of traffic there since the Mussel shut for its winter break on 17 July, the parking issue is now coming to a bureaucratic head as the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) puts pressure on TDC to ensure that the roadside outside the licensed premises is not used for parking.
The clamp-down has not gone down well with Mussel Inn owners Andrew and Jane Dixon, who maintain that the issue is a seasonal one and that the odd busy night is essential to their viability.
“Every liquor outlet in the Bay depends on its busy nights. The fact is we’ve been going for 18 years and not had one traffic-related incident near this place. Yet NZTA have decided that roadside parking, which is legal, is now unacceptable,” said Andrew.
Jane and Andrew have been working with planners and legal advisors to try and come up with a workable solution. With no car park-suitable land adjacent to the Mussel Inn, the options for the site are very limited. They say they are firmly committed to maintaining employment for their staff, providing service to their patrons, and maintaining a sought-after venue for performers from all over New Zealand and the world—the core reasons for establishing the Mussel Inn.
Jane is philosophical, but still wants to make her point.
“Really, this is about the seasonal nature of Golden Bay tourism. Most local authorities around the world support and encourage seasonal business and it is hoped that ours will do the same in this case.”
It may be a matter of watching this (parking) space.
Gerard Hindmarsh
