Is Norwood shopping mall the latest Le Cornu saga?
IT’S the mall on one of Adelaide’s most popular shopping strips — but a planned $50m upgrade is on hold again after a supermarket giant missed a final deadline to begin work. So what happens now?
- Coles refuses to commit to Norwood Mall upgrade start date
- $50m revamp of Norwood Mall gets green light
- Traders fear eviction ahead of redevelopment
A MULTIMILLION-DOLLAR upgrade of Norwood Mall is again in doubt after its owner, supermarket giant Coles, missed a final deadline to start work.
And the local mayor has warned the site may become the east’s own “Le Cornu saga” after years of inaction.
Coles will now be forced to resubmit any upgrade plans to Norwood, Payneham & St Peters development assessment panel after it missed a September 19 deadline to begin work.
Work on the site was initially meant to start by September 2015, but Coles successfully applied for a 12-month extension.
Coles spokeswoman Julia Balderstone said the company was still committed to the upgrade, expected to cost around $50 million.
“We aim to finalise our development plans by the end of the year and will then apply for planning approval,” Ms Balderstone said.
“We have been in regular contact with (the) council regarding the proposed redevelopment plans.
“We are working with our consultant team to achieve the best possible outcome for the centre.”
NP & SP Mayor Robert Bria was disappointed by the latest delay.
“I believe the community will have a very dim view of Coles if this turns into another Le Cornu site saga,” said Mr Bria, referring to years of inaction on a prime site on O’Connell St, North Adelaide.
“Council is disappointed after two, 12-month extensions Coles has decided not to activate its approval for the site and commence construction.
“I would strongly encourage Coles to make public their intentions for this site to end the uncertainty that is starting to affect some businesses.”
He said the revival of Norwood Mall was essential.
“The challenges to The Parade are greater than what they have ever been with major upgrades going on at Marion and a proposed $200 million upgrade of Tea Tree Plaza,” he said.
“We need certainty so that The Parade can retain its status as Adelaide’s premier main street.”
NP & SP’s development assessment panel approved Coles’ plans to redevelop the shopping mall in 2014.
Those plans included a new supermarket, a laneway of restaurants and a cafe overlooking James Coke Park.
Five stores in the mall remain empty, amid uncertainty from store owners about the future of the site.
Last year, Coles started offering short-term leases to entice businesses back into the mall.
Coles first discussed an upgrade of the mall in 2011. Its last major upgrade — worth $8 million — was in 2004.
A survivor
WHEN Rosie Edwards opened a small gift shop in Norwood Mall, the place was alive with thriving businesses and eager customers.
“The mall was always such a busy little place and had some of the best foot traffic in Adelaide for many, many years,” says Mrs Edwards, the owner of All Wrapped Up.
“It has been a great spot to be.”
Fast forward 30 years, and the once-busy mall is struggling.
Many businesses have relocated amid uncertainly about Coles’ plans for a $50 million upgrade.
Mrs Edwards, who leases her shop from a private owner, says it has been a tough year for traders.
“It has been pretty tricky recently as people are so unsure about what is happening,” Mrs Edwards says.
“You’re spending your whole day fielding off questions about what Coles is doing.”
Mrs Edwards hopes for a busy Christmas period.
“The customers are very loyal to Norwood and they just like supporting small businesses,” she says.
“I’ve still got customers shopping with me who have been coming in from the time I opened up the shop.
“Now some people come in who use to be babies in pushers with their own kids.
“It is lovely that those people have those memories of the business.”
She remains optimistic about the mall’s future.
“It would make a huge difference to get back the foot traffic we use to have this side (of The Parade).
“If the mall had a better mix of shops it would be great.
“It has a lot to offer.”