The only pub in a northern Hawke's Bay town is receiving international interest thanks to its proximity to the world's first private orbital launch site. Photo / Supplied
The only pub in a northern Hawke's Bay town is receiving international interest thanks to its proximity to the world's first private orbital launch site. Photo / Supplied
Listed for less than an Auckland home, the only pub in a Northern Hawke's Bay town is receiving international interest thanks to its proximity to the world's first private orbital launch site.
This month Mahia's Sunset Point Tavern was re-listed with an asking price of $950,000 for the coastal property,popular with locals and holidaymakers.
With an asking price lower than its $1 million rateable value, offering multiple buildings and income streams, owner Diana Symes said this was the "sale of the century".
She and husband Arthur built the establishment "from scratch" - designing it from an old power plant, and transporting it in five truckloads to the corner site on Ratau and Newcastle Streets.
Now, it sprawls over 2512sq m of freehold land containing the tavern, two neighbouring houses, with income streams including the pub and off-licence, restaurant, function centre, and TAB.
The "born and bred" Symes have spent the past several years building the business back up, but both had work overseas and wanted to spend more time with family.
"We feel strongly that a new lease of life from another entity will take it to another level," Mrs Symes said. "You get to a time in life where it's time to close the door and give somebody else a go.
"We want to sell it to somebody that will retain our legacy. It's going to be sad, we've put a lot of heart into it and we would really love to sell it to someone that can do that and tenfold."
She hoped their asking price would give the new owner a chance to capitalise, and benefit from it as they had been able to, Mrs Symes said.
The pub is near Rocket Lab's launch site. Photo/supplied.
Already there has been huge interest in the property. The coastal settlement is now firmly on the world map, with Rocket Lab's launch complex situated at the other end of Mahia Peninsula.
The company is currently in the middle of its second testing phase. In May it launched its 17m tall Electron rocket for the first time, with commercial flights hoped to begin next year.
The presence of Rocket Lab meant communications technology in the remote area has improved. The tavern has been used by the company for functions.
The new owners could also capitalise on Rocket Lab's presence: "We're setting up a livestream station so people can watch the rocket launch, we've created a rocket fuel beer, we've got rocket fuel coffee".
