Vermont South Shopping Centre: Burwood Highway Coles supermarket huge upgrade
A daggy Whitehorse shopping centre on Burwood Highway has had a multi million-dollar spruce up after more than 30 years.
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The daggy carpet is gone and more improvements are on the way at Vermont South Shopping Centre.
The much-maligned complex, which has copped criticism for its rundown facade and dirty carpet, has finally had a spruce-up after 35 years.
Vermont South Shopping Centre body corporate chairman Vince Sercia said $1.3m had been spent upgrading the facade, lighting had been upgraded, and the old carpet had been replaced by vinyl flooring.
“The customer feedback has been amazing, particularly with the floors,” Mr Sercia said.
“People are saying it looks clean and fresh.
“Clearly the slope (of the floor) is always going to be a challenge in the centre, it is what it is, but we’ve made the best of it.”
Mr Sercia said Coles also had plans to spend up to $10m upgrading its store in the complex.
“It’s really exciting Coles is about to put out tenders to spend millions and millions of dollars in refreshing their store,” he said.
“It’s a massive investment by Coles … it’s a very busy store.”
“We see it as Vermont South Shopping Centre reborn – a major facelift after 35 years or thereabouts.”
It comes after Aldi also recently unveiled a $2m upgrade to its store in the complex.
He said the centre was also working with Whitehorse Council to upgrade the asphalting and line marking in the carpark.
“In the last 12 months we’ve done so much (to improve the centre),” he said.
“Customers love it for its location and ease of access and we’re listening to them, asking them for feedback,” he said.
“It’s not always positive; we can’t do everything at one time but we certainly take on their feedback.”
On Whitehorse Leader’s Facebook page, Sue Fraser said the centre definitely needed some loving.
“Refurb well over due,” she said.
Yvonne Maher said the carpet had been “ghastly” and sloping floors made it difficult to steer trolleys.
Coles has been approached for comment.
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