PHOTO: Cameron Bailey. FILE
One of Christchurch’s best-known real estate agents has purchased the former home of Clink restaurant in the seaside suburb of Sumner, with a wellness centre among the possibilities being considered for the property.
Harcourts Gold agent Cameron Bailey and his wife have bought the Wakefield Avenue building from Rachael Lonsdale-Hope and Rob Hope, bringing to an end the couple’s long association with the site.
Clink closed in March after operating from the character-filled premises for approximately 14 years.
The Hopes had attempted to sell the restaurant as a going concern before ultimately selling the property itself.
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A new chapter for a familiar Sumner building
The purchase gives the prominent commercial property a fresh opportunity after the closure of one of Sumner’s established hospitality businesses.
Rather than immediately reopening the building as another restaurant, the new owners are understood to be exploring several possible uses.
One option reportedly being considered is transforming the former restaurant into a wellness centre. However, no final decision has been announced, and the property may first be offered to prospective tenants.
Any change of use could also depend on council requirements, planning considerations and the suitability of the building for the proposed operation.
Its position in the heart of Sumner gives the property considerable potential. The coastal suburb attracts residents, visitors, hospitality customers and people seeking health, fitness and lifestyle services.
A carefully chosen new tenant or business concept could therefore give the building a very different future while retaining its role as part of the local community.
End of an era for Clink
Rachael Lonsdale-Hope and Rob Hope opened Clink in 2011 and developed it into a recognised part of Sumner’s hospitality scene.
The restaurant traded through a challenging period for Christchurch businesses, including the city’s earthquake recovery, changing consumer habits and the disruption experienced by the hospitality sector during and after the pandemic.
Its closure in March marked the end of a significant chapter for the couple and for diners who had supported the restaurant over many years.
Before closing, the owners tried unsuccessfully to find a buyer willing to continue operating Clink as a going concern.
The subsequent sale of the real estate means the building can now begin a new life, although its next purpose remains uncertain.
Bailey adds commercial property to his portfolio
Cameron Bailey is one of the most recognisable agents in the New Zealand residential real estate industry.
He has built a high-profile career with Harcourts Gold and has previously been recognised as one of the group’s leading international salespeople. His career sales have reportedly exceeded $1 billion.
The Sumner acquisition places Bailey on the other side of a property transaction—as an investor and owner rather than the agent negotiating a sale for a client.
The purchase also reflects the continuing appeal of well-positioned commercial property in tightly held suburban centres.
Buildings such as the former Clink premises can attract interest because they offer established locations, strong community visibility and the flexibility to accommodate different types of businesses.
Could wellness replace hospitality?
The possibility of a wellness centre would fit with the broader evolution of Sumner.
The suburb is already strongly associated with coastal living, recreation, surfing and an active lifestyle. A business offering services such as yoga, physiotherapy, massage, rehabilitation, beauty treatments or other health-related activities could complement that identity.
However, the final result may depend on the interest received from potential operators and whether a suitable tenant can be found.
Hospitality could still remain an option, especially given the building’s history and its existing association with food and dining. Alternatively, the premises could be adapted for professional, retail or health-related use.
For now, the purchase represents both the end of the Clink era and the beginning of a new chapter for a distinctive Sumner property.
Whatever occupies the building next will inherit a location that has already played an important role in the suburb’s hospitality history.
SOURCE: THE PRESS