Shopping centre like ‘ghost town’ as retailers shut down and shoppers go elsewhere
THIS $330 million shopping complex in Melbourne’s northwest once boasted more than 150 specialty stores. Now traders and shoppers are deserting it — here’s why.
North West
Don't miss out on the headlines from North West. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A SHOPPING centre and its food court have become a ghost town as retailers desert the centre in droves.
When the $330 million Craigieburn Central opened in 2013, it boasted supermarkets, retailers, a cinema, about 160 specialty stores and food court Eat Central.
But when Leader visited the centre’s food court last week, just three stores remained there: Donut King, Bucking Bull and Cold Rock Ice Creamery.
GRUMPY SHOPPERS LOADING UP ON FREE PLASTIC BAGS
H&M OPENING TWO MORE MELBOURNE STORES
TRADERS, SHOPPERS LOSING OUT IN PAID PARKING FIASCO
And all that’s left of another food court at the centre, The Corner, which previously housed Malaysian offering Hawkers Corner, are two restaurants nestled among neon lights and empty shelves.
The Craigieburn Community Facebook group has slammed the centre’s dwindling stores, with many blaming poor design and high rent prices.
HAVE YOUR SAY: What makes you want to shop at a particular centre? Tell us below
A former manager of a store at the complex, Leanne, who didn’t want her surname published, said the rent was “too high for the whole centre, given not enough people shop there”.
“Unfortunately many small business owners have lost out already, and many more will,” she said.
“Some have gone under and others have chosen not to renew their lease.”
Leader understands the average rent price for a small shop is about $6000 a month.
Shopper Wendy Watson said the food court had never been super busy like it was at other shopping centres.
The design of Craigieburn Central, which has four shopping precincts leading to an outdoor central meeting point, has been widely criticised by shoppers.
Craigieburn mum Mary Skopelianos said the outdoor shopping area was a “big mistake”.
“In winter we get wet and freezing going from Big W to Target,” she said.
“It’s so hard for a mother with a pram — I struggled each week and that’s why I go to Epping Plaza instead.”
WATCH: Eating My Way Around... Highpoint
Craigieburn Central centre manager Simon Ward said while he couldn’t disclose details of individual rental agreements, he welcomed discussions on existing arrangements with retailers.
“We work closely with all retailers across our portfolio to ensure a sustainable retail mix now and into the future,” he said.
“We continue to work towards improving the design of the food and entertainment precinct at Craigieburn Central.”
MORE NEWS
Ultimate club-by-club NPL Victoria season preview
The NPL Victoria season is officially underway. Check out all the ins and outs and star players at every club. Plus, our premiership predictions for the NPL and VPL seasons.
Why a northern suburbs shopping centre is unbearably hot
Customers and staff at a major Melbourne shopping say they are “fainting” and “vomiting” as they endure extreme heat and a broken air con system management has failed to fix.