Biscuit makers happy to get cooking again

Cookie Time managing director Lincoln Booth and marketing manager Lizzie Parker were back at work on Monday to tackle the task of refilling cookie jars around the country. Photo / Supplied

Christchurch business Cookie Time reopened its factory on Monday and workers have been furiously baking this week to replenish stock for the city and the rest of the country.

The factory building suffered minor structural damage in last week's earthquake and was closed while engineers strengthened the walls and ceiling.

No Cookie Time staff were hurt during the quake.

Despite the personal loss employees have suffered, 95 per cent of workers turned up on Monday eager to get the biscuit business operating again.

Cookie Time managing director Lincoln Booth said the company would be back to full capacity by today and he expected the 42 franchisees around the country to be fully stocked by Monday.

"Our supply chain was affected. We're catching our tail at the moment. From a business point of view the property is sound. Volume is solid and I couldn't ask for better staff.

"I was in the carpark at the time, I was about to go for a run. I saw this wave coming towards me. It was unlike anything I have ever seen.

"This has brought everyone together. On Monday we went to a room and shared a lot of stories. We're giving people flexi-time. We've set up a childcare centre so we can have kids around. It's important to ensure they know this is a safe place."

Booth says his staff represent the spirit of Christchurch - they just want to get their city back up and running.

"People came in on Monday. They were eager to work, for some normality. Given the situation, the mood in the community is somewhat buoyant. Nervous but buoyant. There is a lot of nervous energy about. There is still pain in people's faces. But they have bills to pay, mouths to feed, mortgages to pay. So they're here.

"We're very lucky we have a business to come to. We're open for business and counting our blessings. There are 50,000 people who don't have a business. We're very fortunate our team has stuck together - it's a testament to our people."

A lot of Cookie Time's stock was depleted last week because no baking was done, so this week there was a lot of catching up to do.

Booth said the houses of many staff members, including himself, had been severely damaged.

One employee has moved his family to the factory property where there is a granny flat with electricity and water.

The factory is in Templeton, an area about 20km south of central Christchurch that was not badly hit.

Booth said the rest of the country could help Christchurch by supporting local businesses that are going to struggle for the next few months, even years.

"That would be a great message to get out. To eat cookies."

This week Cookie Time donated 25,000 biscuits to volunteers and the public.