Woolworths Metro Pendle Hill to close March 2025

A western Sydney suburb has suffered another “devastating” blow with a supermarket the latest to abandon its shopping strip where a business exodus has turned the “wonderful village” into a “slum’’.

Pendle Hill Woolworths will shut permanently on March 7.

Woolworths is the latest business planning to shut in Pendle Hill – leaving the suburb without a supermarket despite the population surge and seniors’ dependence on the service.

However a campaign to save it is underway.

Poor foot traffic, along with low profits and high rent are understood to blame for the Metro store at Pendle Way’s looming demise on March 7, prompting urgent discussions between state and federal MPs with Woolworths’ senior management in an effort to save the key business in the run-down main drag.

Prospect state Labor MP Hugh McDermott is organising a meeting with Woolworths in an effort to save the store, which is surrounded by multiple Indian and Sri Lankan grocery shops and eateries.

“I think it’s vital we have more than just takeaway shops and restaurants, we need to keep infrastructure such as a Woolworths and they reflect the needs of all the community,’’ he said.

“We need to have a situation in our town centres where we have all the social infrastructure that’s needed – Woolworths, Coles, IGA and then post offices, newsagents.

Leaders are fighting to keep the Woolworths at Pendle Hill.

“Obviously as a business it needs to make money but this is a very, very important part of social infrastructure and we need to keep it.’’

Parramatta federal Labor MP Andrew Charlton is also urging Woolworths to continue operating in the “growing area” where there are several multistorey unit blocks and more high density planned.

Pendle Way shops.

“It’s a huge issue because it’s absolutely vital to many of the residents – particularly older residents who don’t have cars,’’ he said.

“I think it would be devastating for the community because people expect an offering at their local shops.

“It would be disastrous for the community.’’

Mr Charlton is urging Woolworths to extend its deadline to allow for community consultation to show there is a demand for the store.

One of the residential developments at Pendle Hill town centre.

“I think we need to run the campaign and show people Pendle Hill is growing and needs a big supermarket,’’ he said.

“Everybody loves Woolworths and we need them to stay.’’

Long-time trader Hang Pham is concerned customers who shopped at Woolworths would no longer drop by her shop, Pendle Way Bakery.

“Everybody says ‘it’s terrible’,’’ she said.

Hang Phan is a veteran trader on Pendle Way.

Gerry Mastro shops at the Woolworths when he visits the doctor and chemist nearby.

“There is another Woolworths down at Wentworthville but it’s convenient when you live locally,’’ he said.

He noted the proliferation of South Asian grocery and eateries was also driving the change in business and Pendle Hill.

“It’s not really the market for myself personally because obviously there’s a lot of Indian shops here,’’ he said.

Prakash Rama, who has an investment property at neighbouring Girraween, said a supermarket was “definitely” needed for the suburb, which has multiple South Asian grocery shops.

“They are totally different (to supermarkets),’’ he said.

“What you get in Woolworths you can’t get in an Indian store; you still have to go to Woolworths.’’

Prakash Rama says there is still demand for Woolworths.

A Woolworths spokesman confirmed the store would close in March.

“Our Pendle Hill Metro store will close on March 7 this year as it’s seen reduced foot traffic for a number of years,’’ he said.

“The store will continue to trade as normal, with team members beginning the process to be redeployed over the coming months.

“We’re thankful for the opportunity to serve the Pendle Hill community and hope to see locals at our neighbouring stores including Wentworthville and Toongabbie.’’

A chorus of backlash ignited online when news of the store closure broke.

“My heart goes out to all the elderly at the retirement village who walk down for their daily/weekly outing,’’ Beck Murdoch wrote on Facebook.

“How difficult and isolating it will be without the Woolies there.’’

Dianne Hay said the closure would force people to use home delivery and many would not know how to use technology.

“Not everyone in Pendle Hill can eat Indian food,’’ she said.

“That is all you can buy now in Pendo, Toony and Wenty. All shops being taken over.’’

Residents have complained about the lack of variety at Pendle Hill shops.

Carol Chapman wrote: “We can complain all we want, they don’t care. Pendle Hill used to be a wonderful shopping centre, now it is a dirty, crappy slum. Thank you Woolworths.’’

Rosie Ken, whose family has lived in the area for more than a century, has seen the shopping centre deteriorate.

“Insufficient general parking and inconsiderate people illegally stopping/parking in disabled parking spots,’’ she wrote.

“So now Woolworths take out the only supermarket that caters for the ‘broader community’.’’

Tony Hatgi described it as a “stab in the heart that will finish this town’’ where he has lived for almost 70 years.

While many mourned the loss of Pendle Hill as a once-thriving shopping village, others were not shocked about the Woolworths announcement with the change in demographics.

“What suburbs have stayed the same or remotely the same over 50 years?,’’ Jac wrote on Facebook.

“Any small business making a loss would be stupid to continue trading with the demographic of the area changes.

“Any business that takes that spot will be doing so at great financial risk.’’

Pendle Hill has suffered retail setbacks over the past decade with the closure of the Commonwealth Bank branch in 2019 and small businesses including the seafood takeaway shop, a bargain shop, Home Hardware, dentist, florist, Triple 8 Chinese restaurant, hairdresser and, more recently, the newsagency in May.

Pendle Hill Newsagency shut in May.

The newsagency has been one of several businesses that have shut over the past decade.

Pendle Hill was promised a full-line supermarket for the redevelopment of the Bonds site at Dunmore St to serve the residents in up to 1500 apartments.

However, the project has stagnated for more than a decade, especially after the collapse of Dyldam in 2020 and the failure to sell the site which would include 6000sq m of retail space.

The community is desperate for the rollout of $15m upgrades to the town centre, which Cumberland Council approved in February.

Cumberland councillor Suman Saha was in “great shock” over the Woolworths announcement.

“I think the Metro is still very popular,’’ he said.

“We live in Pemulwuy but let me tell you, Pendle Hill is still a great shopping destination for me and my family. We go to the fish market but then we end up going to Woolworths as well.’’

He said landscaping and footpath upgrades to Pendle Hill should begin in the middle of the year.

Roy Allen, who splits his time between Pendle Hill and the South Coast, still uses the Woolworths.

“I must admit, I think Woolworths closing there is going to make a big impact to this area because the retirement villages use it extensively,’’ he said.

Originally published as Woolworths Metro Pendle Hill to close March 2025