A 'living room for the city': Nelson pub at risk of closure under council civic centre plans
A popular Nelson pub, The Free House, is at risk of closure due to a local council proposal for a new civic centre and library. The owner expressed surprise at the inclusion of his business site in the development plans.
Why it matters
Highlights the tension between urban development projects and the preservation of established community hubs.
A popular Nelson pub in a 100-year-old former church could face closure under one of the city council's multi-million dollar options for a new library, community hub and civic centre .
The council is [https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/regions_nelson/808899/consultation-opens-for-multi-million-dollar-community-hub-and-library-in-nelson proposing three options: developing the current Civic House and the adjourning Savings Bank and State Advances sites at a cost of $73.3 million; or building a new hub, library and civic space in Collingwood Street for $74.1m, or in Church Street for $88.2m.
Under the Collingwood Street option, The Free House would be replaced with a new building.
The pub, which was established in 2009, has become a regular meeting place for many groups including knitters, singers, backgammon players and mountainbikers, among many others.
The Free House opened in 2009 in an old Reformed Church.
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