Lismore Shopping Square set to reopen its doors on July 6

Owners of Lismore Shopping Square have been working feverishly since the floodwaters receded as part of a ‘monumental’ effort to rebuild in record time. See when it will open and pictures from its history.

Lismore Shopping Square as floodwaters recede out from the second floor from the devasting floods of 2022.

Lismore Shopping Square is set to reopen with the “big four” leading the charge in July.

Owners of the shopping centre, McConaghy Properties CEO Gary McConaghy said the rebuild was the fastest he can recall.

“The Lismore Square rebuild project has been monumental and the pace at which the collective rebuild teams’ have worked is astonishing.

“Having been a part of the Lismore community for over 20 years we are just so proud to be able to re-open Lismore Square once again and restore this incredibly important part of the Lismore community.

“We know how much everyone relies upon “The Square” and we have been overwhelmed by the support we have received from the community. We can’t wait to welcome you all back on the 6th of July for the official opening of Lismore Square,” Mr McConaghy said.

In 1979, the then $10 million dollar shopping centre was opened in Lismore. (approx. $40 million in todays dollar value).

The Lismore Square brought in over 20,000 people from around the region on a fine September morning.

Then Lismore and District Chamber president Mr B Hauville said the Square would be good for the whole city.

“The range of facilities now available in Lismore sets the city apart as the business and commercial centre of the North Coast and many new shoppers can be expected,” he said.

And that’s just what current owners of the Lismore Square, McConaghy Properties want to see happen again.

CEO of the family owned retail property service provider, Gary McConaghy is a builder by trade and said as soon as the floodwaters receded he reached out to his building and construction arm to get crews on the ground right away.

“Fortunately we’re a building company as well and by having that building arm we knew what we needed to do to fix it,” Mr McConaghy said.

“We mobilised with 70 people in the first week.

“We brought in consultants, contractors, and suppliers, who came from as far north as Townsville and as far south as Melbourne.”

Interstate and local tradies from the building arm of McConaghy Properties working on internal fit outs of the Lismore Square. Picture Cath Piltz

Mr McConaghy said teams broke the project up into sections and assisted the retailers with the clean-up and refit if they wished which enabled the rebuild to fast track.

“Big W and Woolworths will open first and then Coles and Kmart will follow in the same month,” Mr McConaghy said.

Specialty retailers will have a staggered opening.

“Because there are approximately 70 businesses coming back in, each of those businesses will need time to remobilise,” Mr McConaghy said.

“They have to work through their insurance claim, the government grant process, how they can finance, how they can staff, how they can get their equipment on time, supply chain logistics and then also the supply of their own product,” he said.

Up to 190 different trades have worked to reopen the Lismore Shopping Square. Picture Cath Piltz

With the “big four” anchors opening first it is expected that the Square will return to its heyday before Christmas.

Some new retailers are expected to grace the newly refitted shopping centre and some favourites are also returning.

The reopening will recall 1,000 local jobs and cater to around 80,000 people in the community who can shop locally again.

Centre Manager of Lismore Square Shaun Haysom said they set themselves the ambitious goal of being able to reopen parts of the Square within a matter of months after the flood.

“This would not have been possible without the incredible support and commitment from our retail partners,” Mr Haysom said.

“They have worked alongside us as we have removed contaminated materials from the centre, rebuilt, repainted, repaired, and reinstated Lismore Square

“The full opening of Lismore Square will take some months, but we promise to provide Lismore with a local community shopping centre you can be proud of, and which will once again provide you with all your retail everyday shopping needs and services,” Mr Haysom said.

The Lismore Square will reopen July 6 with full access and parking.