New owners -Peninsula Pests.
Republished courtesy of the Matarangi Beach Paper.
After seven years as owners of Peninsula Pests, Steve and Sharon Clay are handing over the reigns to Simon and Amy English.
“After 7 ½ years its time for us to retire and actually enjoy this beautiful part of the world we call home. You’ll still see us around fishing and diving, except for when we finally buy that caravan and see the NZ we’ve had on our bucket list,” says retiring owners Steve and Sharon Clay.
“We’d both like to take the time to say a huge thank you to all of our customers, some who have become good friends. You have made this experience a very enjoyable one. We’ll certainly miss those chats we’ve had along the way but if you see us around, please don’t hesitate to stop us for another one. We’ll have time now.”
As for the business moving forward, Steve and Sharon believe that their customers will be in great hands with Simon and Amy and they believe will continue to be dedicated to looking after you all.
Simon and Amy who were previously running a sheep and beef farm near Te Awamutu moved to the Coromandel towards the end of last year and have enrolled their two children at Te Rerenga School.
“With Simon coming from a farming background, he picked it up pretty quickly and he knows what he is doing especially around the handling of chemicals and such things,” says Steve Clay. “Farming has a lot of transferrable knowledge and skills, so they will be able to keep up the standards which Peninsula Pests have become well known for around the district as professional operators.”
As a family, the English’s are excited about taking over from Steve and Sharon. It has been a three month process for the couple, transitioning from running livestock to dealing with pests and taking over Peninsula Pests, but they are very positive about this new venture.
“We are looking forward to a coastal lifestyle and the new work-life balance after the demands of farming,” says Simon. “Now that we are on the coast, there are no excuses about getting out on the water for some fishing or spending time at the beach.”
“Our children have settled down well into their new school at Te Rerenga and are making new friends,” says Amy who originally hails from Edmonton, Canada. “We are excited with how things are going and are really looking forward to taking the journey with this new business and meeting Steve and Sharon’s customers, as well as new ones,” adds Amy.
Caption: Simon and Amy English with Sharon and Steve Clay