Chocolate Fish Café Owners Apologize for Misattributing Closure to Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh
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A popular Wellington café has issued a public apology after incorrectly blaming filmmakers Sir Peter Jackson and Dame fran Walsh for the impending end of its lease. The owners of the Chocolate Fish Café initially stated they were shocked to learn of the closure, attributing it to a redevelopment plan orchestrated by the couple, who own the property at Shelly Bay.
The Penningtons, owners of the café, released a statement on Wednesday retracting their previous claims. “On Tuesday, september 30th, we were informed by our landlord, Wingnut PM, that our tenancy at Shelly Bay will end on January 31, 2026. This was unexpected and came as an enormous shock to us,” they stated. “Regrettably and without foundation, we assumed Sir Peter Jackson and Dame Fran Walsh were responsible for the decision. However, we were wrong.”
Lease Termination Rooted in Property Remediation
The café’s landlord, Wingnut PM, confirmed that discussions regarding the closure had been ongoing for approximately one year. According to a company spokesperson, the decision stems from the need for “significant remedial work” on the historic Submarine Barracks building, which Jackson and Walsh purchased in 2023.
The required renovations include a complete roof replacement, restoration of the building’s historic frontage, interior renovations, exterior painting, and temporary closure of the parking area for resurfacing. The spokesperson added that Wingnut PM had offered support to the café owners by allowing them to continue operating through the upcoming summer season.
A 15-Year Run at Shelly Bay
The Chocolate Fish Café has been a fixture at Shelly Bay for 15 years, becoming a beloved destination for Wellington residents and visitors. The Penningtons expressed their deep regret for the initial misattribution and apologized for any offense caused to Jackson and Walsh.
“We deeply regret our mistake and sincerely apologize for misleading the public and for any offense to sir Peter Jackson and Dame Fran Walsh,” they said. “We are issuing this apology of our own volition.” They further affirmed their respect for the operational decisions made by wingnut PM.
The café will remain open until the end of january, and the owners encourage patrons to enjoy “the legendary Chocolate Fish experience” before the closure. “Between now and then,we and our amazing team look forward to welcoming Wellingtonians and visitors alike,” Penny and John Pennington concluded.
Here’s a substantive news report answering the “Why, Who, What, and How” questions:
Why: The Chocolate Fish Café is closing due to necessary and substantial remedial work required on the historic Submarine Barracks building, owned by Sir Peter Jackson and Dame Fran Walsh. The renovations include a new roof, frontage restoration, interior work, exterior painting, and parking area resurfacing.
Who: The key parties involved are the owners of the Chocolate Fish Café, penny and John Pennington; the property owners, Sir Peter Jackson and Dame Fran Walsh; and the landlord, Wingnut PM. The Penningtons initially misattributed the closure to Jackson and walsh, prompting a public apology.
What: The chocolate Fish Café, a popular Wellington establishment operating for 15 years at shelly Bay, will cease operations on January 31, 2026. The closure is a result of the building’s required renovations,not a intentional decision by the property
