Why Woolworths Metro on the Corso in Manly has closed

A store that billed itself as the future of supermarket shopping for busy commuters has closed in Manly, just over a year after opening.

Manly’s new Woolworths Metro on the Corso has closed.

The store, which opened in the old Commonwealth Bank building in December 2019, was billed as the future of supermarket shopping for the busy city commuter and local office workers.

Woolworths Metro on the Corso, Manly, has closed, just a year after opening. Picture: Julie Cross.

It had its own barista, breakfast and lunches-to-go and easy dinners for commuters to pick up on the way back from work and put in the oven.

However, COVID forced commuters to work from home, as well as local officer workers.

The Manly Daily understands the lack of tourists was also to blame.

A spokesman for Woolworths said the store officially closed on Valentine’s Day.

Woolworths metro on the Corso, Manly, has closed, just a year after opening. Picture: Julie Cross

“Due to challenging trading conditions in the area we’ve made the difficult decision to close our Woolworths Metro store at the Corso in Manly,” he said.

“Importantly, all 25 team members will be re-deployed to neighbouring stores.

“We thank all our customers who have shopped with us over the last 12 months and look forward to welcoming them at our Woolworths Balgowlah store.”

Earlier this month Matt Clifton, a local bar owner, said he had noticed a reudction on foot traffic in Manly.

James Griffin MP has been working with a taskforce to try and come up with ways to boost tourism.

The NSW Government has promised funds to help with marketing the area to try and bring people back following the Avalon cluster which saw the peninsula lockdown over Christmas.

The 500sqm Woolworths store on the Corso competed with two Coles supermarkets, both just a minute’s walk away and both of which have recently undergone refurbishment.

An empty Manly Corso on December 23, 2020 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Lee Hulsman/Getty Images)

It employed around 35 staff, mainly peninsula residents including schoolkids.

When it opened, Mark Sawyer, Woolworths Metro Manly Store Manager said , the supermarket would be community minded and appeal to busy city commuters, tourists and locals.