Market Square losses keep on coming as City Chic announces closure
The once-thriving CBD shopping centre continues to see tenants running for the door as another retailer announces its imminent closure.
Geelong
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Market Square is losing yet another tenant as retailers continue to flee the dying CBD shopping centre.
Fashion outlet City Chic, located opposite Degani, will close its doors for the final time on August 18.
An employee said the store was closing due to state of Market Square.
“The centre is just dead,” she said.
“Today has been bittersweet because we have had such a rush of support from customers who have found out the news.
“We will relocate, but we don’t know where yet.
“It’s a shame our customers won’t have a City Chic in the meantime, but we thank them for all their support.”
City Chic, which specialises in plus-sized women’s clothing, previously closed its Waurn Ponds outlet.
City Chic’s departure from Market Square follows in the footsteps of Boost Juice, Gloria Jeans, Lincraft, Tonia T Boutique, EB Games and Cotton On.
The latest closure comes a month after it emerged that the centre’s manager, property firm Knight Frank, labelled the adjacent Moorabool St bus stop as a “deal killer”.
In emails obtained under freedom of information, Knight Frank laid bare its concerns on November 1 last year to a Geelong council employee whose name was redacted.
“Can you please confirm timelines of when the bus stop will be relocated into the middle of the road, or alternatively point me to the right person at PTV (Public Transport Victoria),” it read.
“As we have discussed on many occasions, it’s very difficult to engage in any meaningful leasing discussions for the Little Malop St or Moorabool St arears (sic) when the current bus stop location on our doorstep is a ‘deal killer’.
“In order for the owners to consider future investment, this item must be a priority for the council to address.”
The comments were made during discussions between Knight Frank and the City of Greater Geelong regarding the draft Market Square masterplan that council endorsed late last year.
While City Hall does not own the land relevant to the plan, it spent $250,000 developing it in an effort to lead the conversation and prompt action within the much-maligned area.
The state government has the final say on the location of the bus stop, however, council’s masterplan recommended for it to be moved to the middle of the street.
The bus stop has long been a hotspot for anti-social behaviour.
Market Square is owned by the secretive Singapore-based group Davinski Nominees.
The group also owns the nearby Centrepoint Arcade.
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