Ringwood Square: Shoppers fear slippery’ tiles, call for new stores

A Maroondah shopping centre which used to be a haven for anti-social activity has cleaned up its act, but some shoppers have a new concern.

Ringwood Square Shopping Centre has been criticised for ‘slippery’ new tiles and the condition of its entrance to Coles. File Picture.

A Maroondah shopping centre, which has previously been plagued by crime issues, has been criticised for flooring upgrades, which some shoppers believe are “a death trap”.

Ringwood Square Shopping Centre has undergone a refresh in recent months with upgrades to its bathrooms and lighting, a freshly painted roof and shiny new tiles laid throughout the centre.

Centre management have also introduced all-day security and cleaning.

But despite their slick appearance, readers expressed concerns on Maroondah Leader’s Facebook page about the new tiles being “slippery as” and “a lawsuit waiting to happen”.

Shaun Ruigok wrote: “The old tiles were tired but the new ones are just … yikes. So slippery but they also reflect all the light, it’s a sensory nightmare!”

Tanya Parkins said: “Not sure who’s idea it was to put the highest shine tiled floors in such a busy foot traffic area. Very slippery especially in high heels.”

Ringwood Square spokeswoman Nicole McCluskey said the new tiles were “glossy but certified as non-slippery” and wasn’t aware of any concerns from shoppers.

“We have been inundated with positive feedback from our shoppers who love coming here; the general consensus being it’s like being at an entire new shopping centre. The place is looking fantastic,” she said.

Ringwood Square Shopping Centre has undergone a series of amenity upgrades. File picture.

Others also expressed concerns about its pedestrians crossings at its entrances.

Melinda Lamb wrote: “I have lost count with the amount of times I have nearly been hit outside the Coles one just trying to walk in and out of the place.”

The centre has four empty store spaces and Ms McCluskey said two new retailers would open in the coming months, with another two almost secured.

She said the centre had also been buoyed by the return of Ringwood Jewellers in October.

Readers on Maroondah Leader’s Facebook page called for a range of new retailers which they would like to see at Ringwood Square.

Several called for a deli and a post office, Joan Diepeveen wanted crafts stores such as Spotlight and Lincraft, and Lauri Rabbett thought a Subway outlet “would make a killing with Bunnings employees”.

Peter Nash wrote: “Needs a point of difference from Eastland, perhaps turn it into something that is similar to a Victoria/Camberwell/South Melbourne Market?”

Ms McCluskey said the centre would welcome a post office but it depended on Australia Post granting another license in Ringwood.

She encouraged shoppers to support its family-run small businesses and to visit the centre and “see how wonderful the place is looking and what a fantastic place it is to shop”.