A temporary diner is being considered for Mossburn after the popular Mossburn One Diner was destroyed in a fire last week.

Southland District Councillor John Douglas said the idea came out of a support meeting he organised on Thursday evening to discuss ways the community could support William Wook Kweon, the owner of the Mossburn One Diner. 

The diner, which is located on Devon Street and has been a staple in the community for around 50 years, burned down on July 31. 

In attendance at Thursday’s meeting were representatives from the Mossburn Fire Brigade, Civil Defence, The Mossburn Lions Club and Northern Southland Community Trust, as well as Mr Kweon himself. 

Mr Douglas said Mr Kweon was keen to get back on his feet quickly and as such the leaders had discussed options to open a temporary diner in another building in Mossburn that Mr Kweon could run while his diner was being re-built.

"William is in discussion with his insurers and his long-term plan is to rebuild the diner. He hopes to do this in 12 months but that might be a bit optimistic," Mr Douglas said.

"We have identified a community-owned building that could be suitable for operating the diner on a temporary basis, and if that suits William, we can explore that as an option."

"The people of Mossburn have enjoyed the diner since 1961 so the locals are really keen to see it operating again," he added.

Mr Douglas said he thought it would be more than a year before the diner could re-open on its original site, so a temporary diner would be a good alternative for Mr Kweon and the community in the meantime. 

The Mossburn Diner has been serving the community since 1961. This photo was taken sometime between then and the early 1970s. PHOTO: Supplied by John Douglas

Mr Kweon lived on-site at the diner, however Mr Douglas said he would now be living at his mother's house just down the road from the diner. 

Generous offers of food and clothes donations have also flooded in for Mr Kweon from members of the community, including from Mossburn Presbyterian Church.