Billabong Manly store: Surf giant set to move out of prime retail spot on the Corso
An iconic surf brand looks set to move out of Manly after 20 years on the Corso. It could pave the way for another big brand to take up residence. See the names put forward.
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One of Australia’s biggest surf retailers is believed to be pulling out of Manly, the home of surfing.
Billabong, which holds a prime spot on the main shopping strip, has been in that space for 20 years.
However, it appears the company is moving out, with the owner of the property advertising for new tenants.
Billabong, one of Australia’s most well known exports, is one of a number of big name retailers that has been struggling in recent years.
The Manly Daily has requested a comment from Billabong.
Brian Walker, founder of the Retail Doctor Group, estimated that the annual rent for a property of that size on the Corso could be up to $1m.
“It’s a shame to see them go,” he said.
“Before COVID, the Corso saw eight million visitors a year.
“With COVID, it’s probably 20 per cent of that.
“In all probability rent negotiations with the landlord has not gone in their favour.”
Real Estate agent Patrick Kelleher, director of Pine Property advertising the site, said the availability of a large retail space in the heart of Manly was a rare opportunity.
He said the 432 sqm unit was one of the largest ground retail spaces on the Corso and could attract big brand names to the suburb.
He named a few that he believes would work well in that spot including JD Sports, H&M, Uniqlo, Seed, Universal, Culture Kings, Lulu Lemon, Mecca, Sephora, Tommy Hilfiger or Kathmandu.
“It’s the first time this space has been offered up for 60 years,” he said.
“This ticks a lot of boxes.
“It’s an amazing opportunity for someone.”
Mr Kelleher said it was important for Manly that there was some strategic planning involved in attracting the right business and he had conducted research on which brands would be a good fit.
“This is about precinct mapping, trying to determine what would work there,” he said.
However, Mr Walker said he was concerned about which businesses could afford such high rents and said the space could get carved up or be taken by a big brand willing to take a loss just for the advertising it will get being on the Corso.
He said he feared if typical shopping mall brands move into Manly it could “lose its unique identity as a coastal town” which would be “a shame for all those involved”.
He said it was time for community leaders and the public to stand up and say what they want to see.
He said a prime example of poor strategy was allowing Chemist Warehouse to move into the new strip of renovated shops owned by St Matthews Church.
“It’s a curated, bespoke character building,” Mr Walker said.
“They did a wonderful job renovating it, but where was their leasing strategy?”
Charlotte Rimmer, the new president of the Manly Business Chamber, said she would like to see a business that was interested in working with others to the benefit of Manly.
She said the chamber was busy working on strategies to support businesses through COVID, which included increasing visitors this summer and encouraging them to stay overnight, rather than just spend a few hours.
“We are working with Northern Beaches Council to reactivate the Corso and make sure it is the destination of choice,” she said.
“We have lost international visitors, but it is a great place for a staycation.”