BCF set to lodge development application with Maranoa Regional Council for Roma block

A major retail conglomerate has launched an application with Maranoa Regional Council to build a store at the site of the old Elders building in Roma.

BCF have launched an application to build a store at the site of the old Elders building in Roma

A major camping and outdoor retail store could soon be coming to Roma but a local business says they hope residents will continue to support the “little guys” who have supported the town for years.

A Maranoa Regional Council spokesman said BCF has submitted a development application with the proposed site to be built at 67-69 Arthur St, the location of the former Elders building.

The BCF will be located on Arthur St but will also extend through to Hawthorne St.

A local store owner, who preferred to remain anonymous, said welcoming a large business like BCF to Roma could impact local businesses but that was simply the way of the world.

“Any new business that comes into town, it is likely to affect the existing businesses, but at the end of the day there isn't really anything you can do about it,” they said.

“I hope people remember who the little guys are and who’s sponsored and supported them over the years.

“Business is business, whether it is big or small it is all competition.”

The application is currently sitting with the Maranoa Regional Council

They said the store could have some positive impacts including employing more staff and offering regional customers more choice.

“It will be a positive in the sense that they will still employ local people and they will sell things we don't sell and we will sell things they don't,” they said.

“Everyone will go for a bit of sticky beak when it opens but I would hope that we would keep majority of our customers.

“There's a bit of a myth that the bigger stores are cheaper and I imagine they will have sales when they first open but it all evens out.”

On Facebook commenters gave their opinion on the proposed opening with many saying progress was a good thing.

“I totally acknowledge the service provided to residents by family businesses owned by locals and whenever possible my family does buy products locally. But …. people are in business to make money and this includes the big businesses. Supercheap and Repco did just this,” Helen Murphy said.

“Get of the soap box and look at the tourism side of things. Roma is the hub of the South West, and to many people think they are going to go broke. We need the money in our town not Toowoomba, Brisbane or Sydney. Now people look at it from the towns point of view not your own please,” Donna Brown added

“It’s what the town needs …. Progress,” Luanne Maslen said.

Doug Reid however warned there was a risk small business could be impacted.

“As soon as McDonald’s and KFC hit town progress was inevitable however Roma has been so sporadic the last 15 years and let’s be honest gas came in hard and fast how many businesses have opened and closed in that time how many small businesses and contractors have been swallowed just remember people get greedy food for thought,” he said.

“Apparently, the government knows how to drive out small business,” another commenter wrote.

Meanwhile Sharon Wippell suggested other stores could be better suited for Roma.

“I think Roma would benefit more an from Aldi or Bunnings or Best and Less more than BCF, just my thoughts,” she wrote.

The business application is currently being assessed by council and the timeline for the project remains unknown.

BCF have been contacted for comment.