Major Forest Hill Chase retailer to close doors after 21 years, with scores of workers facing unemployment

A LONG-TIME Forest Hill Chase store is set to shut its doors, potentially leaving more than 70 people out of work.

A major Forest Hill Chase retailer is closing its doors. Photo: Daniel Pockett

A LONG-TIME Forest Hill Chase store is set to shut its doors, potentially leaving more than 70 people out of work.

Big W, which has been at Forest Hill Chase since 1997, will close on June 17, throwing doubt over the employment future of 74 workers.

Forest Hill Chase marketing manager Natasha Greco said the centre’s leasing team were meeting potential retailers, and negotiations were underway to find a replacement.

“We were disappointed when Big W decided to close its store in Forest Hill Chase,” she said. “New incoming tenants will be announced in due course.”

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A Big W spokeswoman, who did not want to be named, said the retailer, which is owned by the Woolworths Group, was leaving the centre because its lease had ended.

“We entered into negotiations with the landlord (for a new lease), however we were unable to reach an agreement,” she said.

“We are now meeting with each team member to discuss their preference across a range of possible post-closure options.

“We will be offering outplacement and on-site training to all our team members to assist them with future job prospects and help them through this uncertain time.”

Forest Hill shopper Stephanie Lun said she felt sorry for her friends employed at the store.

“I feel so many emotions, especially for my friends who work here,” she said.

Glen Waverley’s Janelle, who did not want her surname printed, said she was “disappointed” about the store’s closure.

“They have good products here and there’s always stuff on special,” she said.

“They always have very good prices, especially for electrical products.”

Whitehorse Business Group chairwoman Kathryn Collier said the loss of Big W was “definitely a shame for people in the area”.

“Losing one retailer doesn’t just affect the shoppers, it affects all the other business in the centre,” she said.

“The demographic in Forest Hill has changed quite a bit — we have a lot more young families in the area now.

“If you’ve got small kids, you’re not going to do your shopping in all the different centres.

“You want to go to the one place that’s got everything, which means customers might now go to Eastland instead.”

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