ANZ Bank, surveyors Craig and Rhodes leave Epping
TWO longstanding businesses are leaving Epping with one director predicting the town centre will become “a dormant residential suburb with nothing to do”.
Northern District Times
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TWO longstanding businesses are leaving Epping with one director predicting the town centre will become “a dormant residential suburb with nothing to do”.
The ANZ bank will close its Beecroft Rd branch after 70 years’ trading and surveying company Craig and Rhodes – which employs 80 people – will depart Cambridge St after 90 years in Epping.
An ANZ spokeswoman said the branch would close on January 17 after a detailed review showed customers were using it less and less.
There had been a steady decline in transactions at the branch in the past four years, she said.
Only 13 per cent of Epping customers used the premises while 70 per cent preferred mobile and internet banking.
The bank was trying to find new roles for the four branch staff.
Craig and Rhodes director Andrew Halmarick said he and his colleagues would be sad to leave Epping in April, for Rhodes.
“I would’ve readily stayed in Epping and bought commercial premises if the buildings to be built here had (ample) mixed-use zoning,” he said.
The towers planned for the town centre are largely residential.
The State Government has earmarked Epping as a priority precinct to accommodate many more people and homes for Sydney’s rapidly-growing population.
However, businesspeople say there is little opportunity for employers such as professional services firms to have offices. This could limit workers, on whom shops rely for trade on weekdays.
Mr Halmarick said: “You will find Epping will get worse as a dormant residential suburb with nothing to do.”
The bank and surveyor sites are to be redeveloped but locals are concerned the operators have chosen not to move elsewhere in Epping.
Epping Chamber of Commerce president Tony Hackett said the departures were significant.
He said the businesses were unlikely to return as there was little commercial space planned in future.
Donna Davis, a Parramatta Labor councillor for Epping, was concerned there would be fewer services and employment opportunities for locals.
“We need quality services in Epping and we’re going in the wrong direction,” she said.
She said changes to planning policy were needed.