Woolies in, DJs out at landmark westside shopping centre

Woolworths will open a major new outlet at one of Brisbane’s iconic shopping centres, creating 100 jobs. But David Jones is leaving.

Woolworths will open a major new supermarket in late 2022 at Toowong Village Shopping Centre after David Jones confirmed it will relinquish its lease next year.

David Jones announced in January that it planned to close a boutique store in James St, Fortitude Valley.

YFG Shopping Centres, which owns Toowong Village, said Woolies had today announced it would enter into a 10-year lease at Toowong Village.

Woolies is coming to Toowong Village and DJs is closing.

Centre manager Retail First said the new supermarket would be a 4050 sqm store with the latest “format layout’’, located on Gallery Level.

Retail First managing director Steven Bridges said it was good news for Woolies customers, who had been without a local store since the outlet opposite Toowong Village closed in January, 2017.

That site has been earmarked for high-rise residential and commercial development.

“We recently conducted customer surveys and paid close attention to what our customers would like to see in the shopping centre,’’ he said.

“David Jones relinquishing the current lease has created an opportunity for us to strengthen our grocery offer and meet the needs of the community.”

Woolworths state manager Chris Peters said the new full line supermarket would employ 100 people.

David Jones closes James St Fortitude Valley store

The addition of Woolworths will coincide with travelator upgrades and works across the three-level shopping centre, which had a $50 million refurbishment in 2015.

“The changes enable Toowong Village to capitalise on the suburb’s growth in apartment living, the planned Town Centre mixed-use development opposite Toowong Village, and the Council’s proposed Green Bridge from West End,” Mr Bridges said.

Space left over after Woolworths’ fit-out is complete will be leased to other retailers, which are yet to be announced.