Multi-million upgrade begins at Southport Park shopping centre despite concerns

ONE of the Gold Coast’s oldest shopping centres is undergoing a multi-million makeover. Just wait until you see what the new-look Southport Park has in store for shoppers. But not everyone is happy.

The Southport Park facade is about to look very different.

RENOVATIONS to Southport Park shopping centre are set to modernise the facade but the centre has come under fire for replacing department store Target with a third supermarket.

Retailers have been battling a “challenging environment’’ since Target shut down early last year after 30 years of trade, according to a Woolworths spokesman.

Target is being replaced by Coles, the third supermarket for the aged centre.

The update which is underway will include an undercover dining precinct, a new look Woolworths and an extended Aldi as well as the new Coles which opens soon and a Liquorland store.

Flashback to 1987: Mick Veivers, Bill Gunn and Peter Beattie meet people at Southport Park Shopping Centre.

But locals who frequent the centre are disappointed a new variety or department store was not replacing the Target store, which closed early last year.

A post on the Southport Park Facebook page showing new Coles signage at the centre attracted criticism, with some members of the public saying three supermarkets in one small centre was overkill.

Natalie Skye Elliott said: “I wish it was Kmart. Don’t really think we need Aldi, Woolies and Coles in the one small centre.”

Others echoed the sentiment.

“I agree, we don’t need three supermarkets. We need a variety store. We already have three Coles close by,” said Robyn Collins.

Angela Hodges said: “We really need a Kmart or Big W there.”

David Tormy, head of property at Southport Park, said there was no current plan to bring in a department or variety store.

“The renovations are of the external facade to modernise the look of the centre,” he said.

“We introduced Coles as a replacement to Target and an extension to Aldi.

“The update of the facade will create the opportunity for external restaurants and cafes with a mid-year target for completion.

“Finalising of the costing is still ongoing so I cannot comment on the cost at this stage.”

There will be three supermarkets in the centre

Woolworths store manager Matt Orrock said he was not worried about having three supermarkets competing for customers.

“That happens quite often, to have three big trading supermarkets in the one centre,” he said.

“It’s good for price, competition and variety for customers.

“We’ve just finished a $14 million renovation so our old and tired supermarket is now one of the best supermarkets in Australia, so we’re not worried about having Coles here.”

Mr Orrock said tenants were looking forward to the “timely” renovations.

“It has been a challenging environment since we lost Target,” he said.

“But we are really looking forward to it. The shop is looking great and we are in a good positive place to move forward.”

He said the renovations, which would include a new dining precinct, would make Southport Park a “one-stop shop”.
“We have a really large car park so it is convenient and efficient to shop here rather than battling at Pacific Fair or Robina,” he said.