Post by shorty on Oct 1, 2014 15:53:51 GMT 12
Big plans for Argosy Restaurant soon to take flight
Last updated 08:49 01/10/2014
READY TO FLY: The Argosy Restaurant, near Blenheim, will re-open in the next few months with a stronger aviation theme.
The Argosy Restaurant near Blenheim is under new management and is set to reopen as a stronger aviation-themed attraction.
The restaurant closed less than two weeks ago but is expected to be up and running by December.
Argosy owner Paul Davidson said the future of the Woodbourne restaurant, on Middle Renwick Rd, was looking "pretty bright".
He bought the Argosy, the largest aircraft on public display in New Zealand and the last of its kind in the world, in 1991. The restaurant opened in 2000.
Renovations to the building were expected to continue for six to eight weeks.
The new restaurant and visitor attraction would likely be open in time for Christmas, Davidson said.
He would not comment further on the plans for the building, but said he was "very excited" about its future.
The new operator said he was still working with the Marlborough District Council and was not yet prepared to comment.
The previous tenants, Wayne and Janine Fraser, operated the restaurant for the last time on September 21.
Wayne Fraser said it came as a "bit of a shock" when their lease was not renewed.
The couple, who had run the restaurant since 2009, were looking at their options for the future.
The Argosy ZK-SAE's last flight was on September 30, 1990.
Safe Air owned two Argosy planes, which carried freight and passengers around New Zealand and to the Chatham Islands.
The Argosy generated worldwide interest in 1978 when two pilots reported seeing unidentified objects following them above the Kaikoura coastline.
The aircraft were eventually decommissioned because the cost of road transport was much cheaper.
They were not fast aircraft but could carry 12 tonnes. In summer they could only reach about 4300 metres when fully loaded, but in winter they could climb to 6100m.
The Marlborough Express
Last updated 08:49 01/10/2014
READY TO FLY: The Argosy Restaurant, near Blenheim, will re-open in the next few months with a stronger aviation theme.
The Argosy Restaurant near Blenheim is under new management and is set to reopen as a stronger aviation-themed attraction.
The restaurant closed less than two weeks ago but is expected to be up and running by December.
Argosy owner Paul Davidson said the future of the Woodbourne restaurant, on Middle Renwick Rd, was looking "pretty bright".
He bought the Argosy, the largest aircraft on public display in New Zealand and the last of its kind in the world, in 1991. The restaurant opened in 2000.
Renovations to the building were expected to continue for six to eight weeks.
The new restaurant and visitor attraction would likely be open in time for Christmas, Davidson said.
He would not comment further on the plans for the building, but said he was "very excited" about its future.
The new operator said he was still working with the Marlborough District Council and was not yet prepared to comment.
The previous tenants, Wayne and Janine Fraser, operated the restaurant for the last time on September 21.
Wayne Fraser said it came as a "bit of a shock" when their lease was not renewed.
The couple, who had run the restaurant since 2009, were looking at their options for the future.
The Argosy ZK-SAE's last flight was on September 30, 1990.
Safe Air owned two Argosy planes, which carried freight and passengers around New Zealand and to the Chatham Islands.
The Argosy generated worldwide interest in 1978 when two pilots reported seeing unidentified objects following them above the Kaikoura coastline.
The aircraft were eventually decommissioned because the cost of road transport was much cheaper.
They were not fast aircraft but could carry 12 tonnes. In summer they could only reach about 4300 metres when fully loaded, but in winter they could climb to 6100m.
The Marlborough Express
