Westfield Knox upgrade: Motto Fashions announces it won’t return

A longstanding retailer has announced it won’t return to Westfield Knox after the centre’s upgrade, disappointing loyal customers.

A popular women’s fashion store has announced it won’t reopen at Westfield Knox after the centre’s upgrade is complete.

Motto Fashions – Knox temporarily closed at the start of the year due to redevelopment works at the centre, while it awaited a new tenancy availability from Westfield.

But the store, which has operated at the centre for 33 years, has now told its customers Motto wasn’t able to secure a new space at Knox, and would not reopen.

“There isn’t space for us – we tried so hard because it was one of our top stores and we didn’t want to let it go but there’s no room so I’m so sorry we can’t come back,” a Facebook post said.

The post said the staff at the Knox store were “fabulous” and were brilliant right to the end.

“We’re very sad, but it’s goodbye Knox Shopping Centre,” the post said.

Customers expressed their sadness at the closure on Facebook, with one woman remembering buying her first suit there for work in 1992.

Construction work at Knox.

“So sad to hear this news - I started shopping at Motto Knox 29 years ago and loved it ever since,” another shopper commented.

The nearest Motto store is now at The Pines Shopping Centre in Doncaster East, and the company also has an online store.

Motto also closed its Forest Hill store last year.

It’s one of a number of stores to close at Westfield Knox over the past couple of years with Myer, Country Road, Harvey Norman, McDonald’s, and Ishka also shutting their doors.

Construction work on the $355 million Westfield Knox redevelopment is well underway, with a new Aldi, Woolworths and fresh food market set to open on Level 1 by the end of the year.

There are rumours paid parking could also be on the way at the centre.

A render of the new look Westfield Knox.

A 2000sq m library and fashion, beauty, lifestyle and homeware stores will open on Level 2 in 2023, along with the new basketball court and a 1700sq m multipurpose community space.

Rebel Sport and JB Hi-Fi will relocate into the new precinct.

MacPac, which sells outdoor equipment, will also be opening in the same precinct with more new retailers to be announced soon.

Scentre Group regional manager centre experience Michelle Clarkson previously told Leader: “We’ve got so many exciting retailers and much-loved favourites that will be returning to the centre and we will be able to give more information on those in the coming months.”