The owners of a popular Wellington cafe say they are devastated after being told their landlord, Sir Peter Jackson, has decided to close the business. 

The Chocolate Fish Cafe has been operating in Wellington’s Shelly Bay for 15 years, by owners John and Penny Pennington. 

The land was purchased in 2023 by billionaire filmmaker Sir Peter Jackson and his partner Dame Fran Walsh. 

Pennington told the Herald Jackson and Walsh have invested a lot in the cafe’s building and surrounding area recently and were told the heartbreaking news on Tuesday by a representative of the pair. 

“This week, we were given the devastating blow, without warning, by the Head of Business Affairs for Sir Peter Jackson and Dame Fran Walsh, that they have decided to close our beloved cafe for good,” a post on the cafe’s social media explains. 

“We don’t want to be forced to close. We don’t want to be shut down.” 

Pennington said he understands Jackson wants to further develop the area and wishes to close the cafe to undertake necessary construction on the building, but it is unclear what is planned for the site. 

Sir Peter Jackson. Photo / Mark Mitchell. 

He said it is a “heartbreaking situation“ to be told the cafe would have to close as of 31 January. 

No alternative venue had been offered for the business by Jackson, Pennington said. 

He said the famous couple have been strong supporters of the business over the years, and this news has come as a shock. 

The business currently has 28 staff on its books, with Pennington saying they had to make the hard call to inform their staff of the closure this week. 

“Despite out requests, we haven’t yet been given the opportunity to speak with Peter and Fran directly, and we are asking for that chance,” the social media post said. 

Jackson and Walsh released a statement to the Herald through their company WingNut PM, confirming “occupancy discussions” had been ongoing since early 2024 with the owners of the Chocolate Fish Cafe. 

“The Shelly Bay development involves a significant private contribution, intended to reinvigorate the City and provide a public amenity for all Wellingtonians to enjoy”, the statement reads. 

“To deliver on the vision a complete refurbishment of the historic Submarine Barracks building that the Chocolate Fish Cafe presently occupies is necessary. 

“These ongoing renovations make it impossible for the cafe to remain open beyond January. Wingnut PM had offered to support the owners so the cafe could remain open into the summer period.” 

Jackson and Walsh purchased the prime waterfront real estate in Wellington after a controversial $500 million housing development planned by developer Ian Cassels was scrapped. 

In 2023 the couple asked the community to bear with them as they worked to return Shelly Bay to its “natural beauty”. 

Pennington said at the time he had gone from thinking his business was on the rocks to something that felt more like winning the Lotto. 

Chocolate Fish Cafe owner John Pennington on the earthworks in front of the business at Shelly Bay, Miramar, Wellington in 2023. Photo / Mark Mitchell 

The Herald revealed earlier this year Jackson was planning to create a museum and exhibition space, as well as residential accommodation in a historic building on the site beside Chocolate Fish. 

A resource consent application to Wellington City Council, seen by the Herald, detailed Jackson’s plans for the existing officers’ mess building. 

Consent documents show Sir Peter Jackson's plans to restore the historic Shelly Bay building into a museum and gallery with residential units upstairs. 

Yesterday, Jackson and Walsh announced some good news for the community, unveiling plans to build a specialist veterinary hospital on Park Rd in Miramar. 

In an announcement from the billionaire’s WingNut Group, Jackson revealed his plans for the “landmark new development at Park Rd, Miramar”. 

They also hinted at other plans on the Miramar peninsula, saying the vet hospital is one of several long-term development initiatives by the couple to “provide new services and stimulate growth and investment in Wellington”. 

Ethan Manera is a Wellington-based journalist covering Wellington issues, local politics and business in the capital. He can be emailed at [email protected].