Lyttelton can survive, say business owners

A car completely covered by rubble sits outside the pub in central Lyttelton township. Photo / Sarah Ivey

The township at the epicentre of Tuesday's earthquake could be a shining example of how a modern city can overcome tragedy, a local business owner says.

Several business owners are already beginning to pull themselves together and open up shop for their close knit community. The local cafe, which has been red carded by business inspectors, has set up on the main intersection and is handing out coffees.

Much of the rubble has been cleared but there is still a great deal of work to do here.

Ross Ellern's barbershop has been given a green sticker. He was busy tidying up the interior today, hoping to reopen on Wednesday.

"I've already had calls from locals and people in town wanting haircuts so I have loyal customers...whether that will be enough to get me through I don't know," he told NZPA.

His small shop has two staff and has been on Lyttelton's main street for 25 years. Mr Ellern said he felt as safe there as he did anywhere else.

"There's nothing we can do about it and if your number rolls out it rolls out, it doesn't matter where you are."

Next door, a small accounting firm has also been given the green light and owner Karen McMullon said the family business would re-open later in the week if all went well.

"I'm not sure how I feel here yet but we need to keep going. About 95 per cent of our clients are from Lyttelton and some of them have lost everything so we are helping them the best we can," she said.

"We are reasonably confident we can keep the business going. We will lose a lot of clients who have lost their own businesses but we are staying positive."

The Lyttelton dairy opened the day after the quake and owner Andrew Turner was happy to be able to supply essentials locally so people don't have to go over the hill to Christchurch.

"People like to come to the local shop and see familiar faces. We have been busy so far."

Mr Turner is also the local chairman of the business association and told NZPA that the town could rebuild together.

"We can be a modern example of Napier or Hastings...a shining example of community spirit. We need to have a long conversation within the community on the best way to rebuild and keep the character of the town as well. But we will get there and most people are very loyal to Lyttelton."

- NZPA