Norwood Mall traders fear eviction ahead of Coles’ $50 million redevelopment of The Parade site

“WE’VE been left in the dark” say traders at a popular Adelaide shopping mall who fear their supermarket giant landlord will soon kick them out to make way for a $50m redevelopment.

Artists impressions of the new Coles redevelopment at Norwood.

NORWOOD Mall traders fear their landlord, Coles, will kick them out of their premises to make way for the supermarket giant’s $50 million redevelopment of the site.

Traders who spoke to the East Torrens Messenger last week said they had been “left in the dark” on Coles’ plans to upgrade the mall and had not been told if they would have a spot in the new Norwood Village.

Some feared they would be evicted ahead of work starting next year.

4u Jewellery owner Peter Chambis had pre-empted his eviction and would move his shop to The Parade, next to Orbe Hair and Beauty, after Christmas. He was disappointed with the lack of correspondence from Coles to the small businesses which leased premises from the supermarket giant.

“We have been left completely in the dark with what’s happening with the redevelopment,” he said.

“I couldn’t wait any longer or deal with the uncertainty so I’ve just signed a new lease and will be moving to The Parade after Christmas.

“With the plans that (Coles) put forward, it’s likely that there won’t be a spot for us.”

MORE: Coles to spend $50 million to transform Norwood Mall into Norwood Village

Beads on Parade owner Victoria Lawrie had also started searching for new premises.

“Coles hasn’t told us anything, but I have a feeling that six weeks before they start the upgrade they’ll tell us we need to move,” Ms Lawrie said.

“We’ve started looking for places now, but it’s really hard to find a suitable location that’s the right size and doesn’t have a huge rent bill.

“It makes it really hard because we have no idea what we are going to do, so it would be nice for Coles to tell us.

“We think we will have to move because they will probably put the rent up anyway.”

The owner of Dillons Newsagency, who did not wish to be named, also said the business would relocate.

MORE: Coles amends plans for $50 million Norwood shopping centre redevelopment to retain cork tree

Coles spokeswoman Julia Balderstone said some existing tenants “may have options in the new centre”.

She said no decision on whether there would be room for the businesses during and after the redevelopment had been made.

But the tenants would be consulted once a decision was made.

Ms Balderstone said Coles would be in a position to provide more detail on our development in early 2015.

She said up to 300 local jobs during construction would be created during the project’s and about 250 jobs once completed.

The $50 million Norwood Village redevelopment will include a new Coles supermarket, laneway of restaurants and a new cafe overlooking James Coke Park.

Norwood, Payneham & St Peters Council’s Development Assessment Panel approved the work in September.