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One of the things we’re most proud about in Wellington is our Cafe culture. The horror this morning of seeing that our council has jerked Eva Dixon’s at the Zoo around now as well and they have to exit over the next few weeks.
This follows on from Scorching Bay being bereft of our beloved Chocolate Fish while resource consents are sorted. No Cafe over summer.
Now Eva Dixon’s who open early, are kid friendly and have injected some style into the Zoo and made it cool to go again have been turfed.
Great case of beauracry getting on the way of doing what’s right.
Council, show some common sense. Accelerate the Fish and leave Eva Dixons where they are.
Our City owes more to them then they owe to us.
blog
I blame Iona Pannett
What, does the Mayors hubby want to build more apartments on the site or something?
So much for a cafe culture. I’m guessing it’ll be replaced with a generic “tea room” like most zoo’s have, which is something most people in wellington wouldn’t even step in the door of.
What was the reason given?
When the Zoo used to have a ‘generic tearoom’ we avoided it like the plague after a bad service experience. We used to take our own picnic instead.
Doesn’t the new company provide ‘generic tearooms’ to schools and companies?
I don’t think they are that cheap either (from what I have heard). I wonder if anyone can get the papers out of the council under the Official Information Act.
Rod,
I’m with you. It’s a disgrace, not only the decision itself, but also the way it’s been handled…
Celia Wade-Brown is the councillor involved with the Wellington Zoo trust. I’d suggest directing outrage at her.
http://www.wellington.govt.nz/about/mayor/profiles/wade-brown.html
cheers
jamie
A dumb decision. Didn’t they think to actually look at the patrons of the Cafe, and then ask people what they wanted? I’ve never been there when it was anything less than busy and full of parents with their kids, having a decent coffee and usually clutching a small toy from the shop prior to walking around what is (now) a great zoo. In future, I expect a lot of parents will either eat/drink before hand and avoid the plastic food that is likely to replace the great menu. Oh, and we won’t stop at the shop either as we’ll be keen to get to a spot to unwrap our sandwiches.
I’m sure Tasteless Catering will do a wonderful job of providing stale sausage rolls and instant coffee just like they do elsewhere around the city.
Sorry, but corporates just don’t make good cafe owners. I was disappointed to see Evas getting squeezed out.
I agree that at face value it’s a dodgy decision by a bureaucrat totally out of tune with the realities of customer demand. But sometimes face value has a nasty habit of turning around and biting one on the double decaf trim soy late cup. Are we sure there isn’t more to this decision than meets the eye (and hell - I’m in Christchurch so I have no idea either way).
Having said that Evas has always had a place in my heart. My wife and I got together one night over coffee at Eva Dixons (the original - Dixon St) many kilos of both Havana and C4 later we’re still here - whether or not Evas is!
Every Wellingtonian knows the Wellington City Council have historically taken ineptness to whole new lows, it seems they’re still plumbing the depths. Shame.
Can’t agree more - absolute stupid decision. Spotless catering is def. not getting any cent of us in there. I bet someone behind the scenes pulled a few strings to get them in and Eva Dixon’s out. I’d be really interested in some transparancy and learn who made which decisions and if there were any commercial interest involved. Shocking!
Agree with the all the above comments.
My wife and kids always go to Evas after their weekly trip to the zoo. If Spotless does stuff it up, they’ll be voting with their feet for sure. Don’t mess with a 3 year old’s fluffy!
I sent Celia Wade-Brown an email two days ago asking for an explanation, but have not had a response yet. I’ll chase her until I get one, and I’ll post it.
It does highlight the value of quality kid-friendly places like Evas, Maranui, Southern Cross etc. Things like dedicated areas, toys, activities or kid-tolerant staff are certainly prime drivers for us when choosing where to go out.
Thank you for your email regarding Eva Dixon’s cafe at Wellington Zoo. Excuse delay in replying - have been up to my ears in meetings.
Wellington Zoo is a charitable trust and our principal funder is Wellington City Council. I am honoured to be a Council appointed trustee.
The Zoo has had a successful and popular cafe since it opened.
The license to run the cafe at the Zoo was up for renewal and the Zoo went through a standard Expressions of Interest process. Eva Dixon’s Café was part of the process and was fairly evaluated against a set of criteria including financial offer, consistency and quality, service delivery and innovation and creativity. However, Spotless Services, out performed Eva Dixon’s in all the criteria.
The decision to appoint Spotless as the catering contractor at Wellington Zoo was not solely a commercial decision but was also about our visitors receiving an excellent experience in our cafe. We have received assurance from Spotless that the café will offer boutique service and we will be working hard with them as our partner to ensure that this is the case.
I hope that you continue to visit Wellington Zoo and look forward to your feedback on our new cafe.
If you have more detailed queries, please contact wellingtonzoo@wellingtonzoo.com and they’ll be answered,
Kind regards
Celia
“We have received assurance from Spotless that the café will offer boutique service and we will be working hard with them as our partner to ensure that this is the case.”
Thats a Tui if I’ve ever heard one
interseting to see celia mention “financial offer” as the first part of the zoo criteria. I guess only Eva Dixons, karen fifield (ceo of the zoo) and the zoo trusties will know the truth behind our eviction.
EVA
eviction? As far as my understanding goes eva dixon’s contract with the zoo was up, and the council was required to go out to tender.
I just had some bad chicken at the new cafe managed by Spotless catering. Not happy