I’ve been to a large number of public meetings in my 22 years of editing and publishing Ponsonby News. I attended one last night, where a crowd of around 200 locals were at the Grey Lynn RSC to support Brett Simeti, the co owner of The Gypsy Team Room. I have never seen such a big crowd ever!
This iconic bar is always packed and draws in celebrities along with locals and punters from other parts of Auckland. Barfoot & Thomson, the owner of the building housing the Gypsy was invited to attend to set out their plans for the site. They were asked on several occasions but declined the invitation.
Richard Upton, a local resident chaired the meeting and says the aim was to bring the community together to show Barfoots how the locals feel about the situation. I spoke to Brett after the meeting and he told us, “The outpouring of support, love, everything, you know has really amazed me. A petition to try and keep The Gypsy open has generated over 3000 signatures. The fact that people are willing to go out of their way to try and help find a way where perhaps both my interests and Barfoot's interests can merge together should be a no brainer.”
There was a number of slides shown last night, showing Barfoots using the Gypsy in their real estate listings marketing. Hearing people last night, many of them said Barfoots will loose a huge amount of goodwill in the neighbourhood. There has to be a way forward to keep our bar open without The Gypsy needing to relocate.
What can you do? Vote with your feet when choosing an agent. Remain vocal. Email Barfoots to tell them how you feel.
Stephen@barfoot.co.nz (mailto:Stephen@barfoot.co.nz) (Barfoots HQ)
acosgrave@barfoot.co.nz (mailto:acosgrave@barfoot.co.nz) (Grey Lynn office)
msymonds@barfoot.co.nz (mailto:msymonds@barfoot.co.nz) (Ponsonby office)
savethegypsytearoom@gmail.com (mailto:savethegypsytearoom@gmail.com)
(any other ideas are welcome)
