Coles refuses to commit to a start date for $50 million Norwood Village upgrade

COLES has refused to commit to a start date for its $50 million revamp of Norwood Mall, a year after plans for the upgrade were approved.

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COLES has refused to commit to a start date for its $50 million revamp of Norwood Mall, a year after plans for the upgrade were approved.

And traders say the uncertainty surrounding the project is driving customers away.

Coles last week said it had no start date for the Norwood Village project, approved by Norwood, Payneham & St Peters Council’s Development Assessment Panel in August last year.

Spokeswoman Julia Balderstone said Coles was still finalising plans for the site.

She said Coles was “committed to reinvigorating The Parade at Norwood by creating a new gourmet food hub”.

Ford Dry Cleaners’ owner Marisa Matto told the East Torrens Messenger last week she was disappointed at the lack of action.

“Because of all this uncertainty, the foot traffic has declined and we don’t know why they keep putting it off,” Ms Matto said.

“Coles is not giving us any idea about a start date and nor will they give us a proper answer.

“When it is finished it will be good, but it’s not good for the businesses in the mall that they don’t know what they are doing.”

An artist’s impression of the new Coles redevelopment at Norwood.

Escape Travel moved from Norwood Mall to the adjacent Norwood Place last month.

Manager Krystal Savage said the new location was far busier with passing foot traffic.

“We made a decision when the location came up at Norwood Place and our lease was up to not wait for the redevelopment to begin,” Ms Savage said.

“We were unsure of the dates and if it was going ahead.

“The foot traffic has been much heavier, so it’s been great.”

NP&SP Mayor Robert Bria hoped the redevelopment would begin sooner rather than later.

“Hopefully the development will start within the time frames that were suggested, which was that it start by September this year,” Mr Bria said.

“Obviously once it starts, there will be more certainty … we can look forward to a major development on The Parade that will enhance the retail and dining experience for locals and business.”

The council’s development panel granted Coles approval for its plans for the mall – including a new supermarket, laneway of restaurants and a new cafe overlooking James Coke Park – in August last year.

The development approval was set to lapse on September 19, but Coles was successful in its bid for a 12 month extension.

The panel rejected initial plans in March 2014, because Coles wanted to axe a 140-year-old cork tree in the western carpark.

The new plans retain the tree.