The owners of an Oamaru building that formerly housed one of the town's best-known tearooms are distancing themselves from its closure.
Annie's Victorian Tearooms, which was owned by former Diamond Harbour businesswoman Annie Baxter, closed last weekend after the North Otago Club, which owns the two-storey premises, agreed to sell it.
However, since the closure of the tearooms, the club has come under fire from some sections of the Oamaru public. Club spokesman Peter Garvan said yesterday it was time to ''put the facts on the table''.
''We feel that there is a lot of people that think that the club ended the lease when, in fact, she (Mrs Baxter) agreed to sell it.
''She was in a position to say no from day one, and I don't think that is widely known.
''Annie and her business advisers knew of the possible sale of the club building for at least two years.
''From the first day the new owners viewed the building, they made it plain that their primary interest related to downstairs.
''Consequently, Annie was asked at the end of April if she was open to selling her lease.''
Mr Garvan said Mrs Baxter was asked to ''put a price'' on her lease - and she did.
After ''brief'' negotiations, a formal offer was forwarded to her solicitor in May, he said.
''The club appreciates it has not been an easy decision for Annie to move on.
''She has made a major contribution to Oamaru and we empathise with the difficult decision she has made and for her staff.
''However, it was a voluntary decision and neither the club nor the new owners forced Annie to make the commercial decision to sell her lease.''
Oamaru Whitestone Civic Trust chairman Marcus Brown said the trust was ''disappointed'' a Victorian-themed attraction in the Victorian Precinct had closed, but noted the new owners had agreed to earthquake-strengthen the building on the corner of Itchen and Tees Sts up to 60% of building code.
''That means that building would be protected in perpetuity.''
Mrs Baxter was not available for comment yesterday, but had previously told the Otago Daily Times it was her decision to end her lease.
