Jobs lost as Homestead restaurant forced to close

The Homestead Family Restaurant in Masterton closed on Wednesday, says Trust House chief executive Allan Pollard.

The Wairarapa Times-Age earlier this week reported the prospect of closure, which leaves jobless nine of the eleven mostly part-time restaurant workers.

Two workers from the closed business will start jobs in other Trust House operations in Masterton, Mr Pollard said.

"The remaining jobs, which are equivalent to five full-time positions, will be disestablished. We are continuing to look at other job opportunities for those staff in other parts of Trust House," Mr Pollard said.

Mr Pollard said staff feedback had been sought and he had been reluctant but compelled to weigh the possibility of closure.

"Every business has a lifespan and the local cafe and restaurant market is very different now to what it was even a few years ago," he said.

"We need to move with the times and will be considering options for the redevelopment of the restaurant."

Mr Pollard said the other businesses in the Homestead building complex - the Homestead Bar and the Solway Four Square - will remain open.

The Homestead restaurant has gone through a number of forms since it was opened in 1971. The original family bistro changed into a night club and then to Rory's restaurant. In 1992 it became Cobb & Co and in October 2011 reverted to the Homestead Family Restaurant.