Foodstuffs Commits to Rebuilding New World Victoria Park Supermarket After Major Fire
Foodstuffs Commits to Rebuilding New World Victoria Park Supermarket After Major Fire
In a recent development, Foodstuffs has announced its "100 percent commitment" to rebuilding the New World Victoria Park supermarket in central Auckland, following a massive fire that devastated the site in June. The blaze, which took more than 10 hours to extinguish, caused extensive damage to the building, including a collapsed ceiling and structural instability.
Foodstuffs has confirmed that work is underway to make the site safe for entry, with specialist crews and structural engineers currently on-site. However, it is still too dangerous for anyone to enter the premises at this time. The company emphasized that safety is the top priority as it moves forward with the rebuilding process.
The announcement was made via the supermarket's social media channels, where the company also revealed that it has moved up the opening of a new store in Point Chevalier, located 5 kilometers away, to August 19. This temporary measure aims to ensure that customers continue to have access to essential goods while the original site is being restored.
The New World Victoria Park supermarket was a significant local employer, with over 180 people working at the site. Foodstuffs has stated that it is continuing to support affected staff, working one-on-one with each employee to find alternative roles. The company also mentioned that it has already re-deployed over 100 employees across 23 Auckland stores as part of its efforts to support those impacted by the fire.
Despite the challenges posed by the fire, Foodstuffs remains focused on rebuilding the site and restoring the community hub that the supermarket once was. The company has not yet provided a timeline for the full reopening of the New World Victoria Park location, but has reiterated its commitment to the area and its residents.
As the rebuilding process begins, the community and local stakeholders are watching closely, hoping that the new supermarket will be a symbol of resilience and recovery for the area.
