Manly Wharf newsagency closes its doors as Ferry patronage declines due to coronavirus

Ferry commuters and tourists will have to wait to see if another newsagency opens on Manly Wharf after the current outlet closed its doors this week.

The closed NewsLink newsagency on Manly Wharf. Picture: Jim O'Rourke

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The popular newsagency on Manly Wharf has closed.

Owners of the NewsLink outlet, owned by a massive French retail and travel conglomerate, have decided not to renew its lease.

Packing up: The interior of the closed NewsLink newsagency on Manly Wharf. Picture: Jim O'Rourke

This week the agency, near the entrance to the Aldi supermarket, which was a favoured spot for ferry commuters and tourists to update OPAL cards as well as buy newspapers and snacks, has kept its security shutters down.

Inside, the shelves are empty and packing containers and trolleys can be seen.

The owners of Manly Wharf, TMG Development, confirmed the lease was not being renewed by NewsLink Pty Limited, which has 16 outlets in Australia.

Empty shelves inside the NewsLink newsagency. Picture: Jim O'Rourke

NewsLink is a wholly-owned subsidiary of France-based conglomerate Lagardere. On its website Lagardere Travel Retail Pacific describes itself as “an international travel retail company that represents a number of luxury iconic brands across the globe”.

Lagardere has not returned the Manly Daily’s request for comment, but industry sources suggest it has decided not to renew the newsagency’s lease due to as drop in sales caused by a decrease in the numbers of people catching the Manly ferry to Circular Quay due to COVID-19.

The COVID-19 crisis has had an affect on the number of people using the Manly Wharf. Picture: Julian Andrews

In March the Manly Daily reported that NSW Transport officials confirmed that there had been a decline of 65-70 per cent in passenger numbers across all modes of public transport in Sydney due to the COVID-19 crisis.

The centre manager at Manly Wharf, Chris Coore, confirmed that NewsLink was not renewing its lease.

The owners of Manly Wharf are hoping to attract another newsagency to take up the empty lease. Picture: John Grainger

“They have decided not to remain at Manly Wharf,” Mr Coore said.

“We do, however, have expressions of interest from other retailers, including a newsagency, for that vacancy.”