Batemans Bay Bridge Plaza: Why south coast shopping mall is seeing mass closings

A south coast mall has seen a large number of stores close their doors, with those closest to the retail industry suggesting what they believe is the cause. See which stores have closed.

The Coffee Club, Uncle Joe’s, Java Jack’s and now Donut King – just some of many stores which have shut their doors in a south coast shopping mall, with those close to the retail industry saying it’s a result of “tough times”.

Batemans Bay on the NSW south coast may be growing rapidly when it comes to residential developments, but it’s a different story with commercial and retail.

More than five stores have closed in the Bay Plaza – previously owned by Stocklands, now owned by JLL Australia – in the past few months.

“It’s a really tough thing,” Batemans Bay Chamber of Commerce President David Maclachlan told The South Coast News. 

“It’s always concerning to see stores close, but it’s also part of a business life cycle.”

Mr Maclachlan said the recent closures could be attributed to the cost of leasing a storefront in the plaza and the current cost of living crisis.

Batemans Bay Chamber of Commerce President, David Maclachlan.

“I think also, in the case of Donut King, you have franchisees making money that is then going to the franchisor while at the same time, they are trying to pay the high rent,” he said.

Batemans Bay locals have taken to social media to express their concerns regarding the mass store closures.

“When the mall opened in 2005, we had all sorts of stores and now nine years later, we have half what we had,” Michael Cook said.

Donut King was the latest Batemans Bay Plaza store to close.

The Coffee Club has remained vacant for more than a year.

Others agreed, noting how the growing population of the coastal town of 20,000 did not match the level of stores available.

“We need more stores like a Big W or something like Target … remember when we used to have a Target?” Makayla Sharp said.

However, Eurobodalla mayor Matthew Hatcher said while it concerned him to see stores closing in the town, people had to understand times were currently tough.

“Now, more than ever, we need to support our small businesses with patronage,” he said.

Got a news tip? Lets us know at [e-mail].