Fascinating history

Press, 26 September 1989, Page 32

Fascinating history

From general trading store to modernised supermarket, the Redcliffs New World Supermarket has a history going back to late last century. First known as Simpson's, the original building on the site dates from prior to 1890, when it operated as a country store, coal merchant and stables. In fact, the stables were

still in evidence as late as 1957, when the immediate previous owner, Nick Dench, purchased the store. Many well-known local people have owned the store at some stage or other during its career, including the Squirell family, the Donkin family, the Pasley family and the Lewis family. The store first specialised in the food and

grocery business during the 19305, and when it was owned by the Pasleys, it was the first ever store in the South Island to stock the now-famous Snax biscuits. These biscuits were brought to Christchurch by Mr Pasley having them shipped from Auckland to Nelson and then driving up and bringing them back on a truck himself. Two other claims to

fame are that the store was only the second ever self-service shop in the South Island and is one of the few supermarkets in New Zealand to hold a licence to sell wine. Under the proprietorship of Nick Dench, the store became the Redcliffs New World Supermarket in 1965, only months after the first ever New World Supermarket was opened in Stanmore Road.