Intersport owner reveals why Toowoomba CBD store is closing down

The owner of a major franchise has revealed why he is closing his Toowoomba store within weeks.

Intersport Toowoomba is closing down, Monday, October 7, 2024. Picture: Kevin Farmer

 

The owner of Intersport Toowoomba has revealed why he is closing down his southernmost location, citing changes to public parking and a lack of alternative sites.

Residents have expressed their sadness after the sporting goods store recently revealed it was shutting its doors, holding a closing down sale at its Ruthven Street site.

Karen and Ted Blackmore at the Ronald McDonald House Charity Ball.

The shutdown will result in about a dozen job losses.

The shop is owned by Townsville businessman Ted Blackmore, who said the loss of street parking was a major factor in his decision to close.

“The changes since we opened have been quite substantial,” he said.

“Number one is the parking meters but also (the council has) created bus stops on either side of the streets, so the only parking spots are in the middle of the road.

“For our retail, outside Grand Central is pretty difficult (and) the second stage of Grand Central opened about six months after we moved to the CBD.

“We need between 800 and 1000sqm of space and there is nothing available in Toowoomba right now.”

Mr Blackmore, who has several successful Intersport stores in north Queensland, said it was also difficult to access Toowoomba from Townsville — especially after Bonza folded this year.

“It wasn’t losing money, but it wasn’t making that much, and the trouble was convincing someone they would make a difference (if they took it on),” he said.

“Because of our head office in Townsville, it was quite remote.”

Mr Blackmore said the store would likely close next month, thanking longstanding customers and employees for their support.

Intersport Toowoomba is closing down, Monday, October 7, 2024. Picture: Kevin Farmer

“We had a membership base in Toowoomba (so) it is sad, it’s sad for the employees and it’s sad because of the amount of work we’ve done,” he said.

“It takes competition out of the town.”

Many residents said Intersport’s demise was not surprising given the current economic climate for retail, with one calling it a “sign of the times”.

See below for reader reactions:

Peter Holmes

Several issues at play here. Intersport has an outdated brand in serious need of a major overhaul, or face lift. Their retail offering has not really kept up with their larger competitors and consumers have lost the reason to make them number one to shop at. Then their location is no longer prime, and possible way to costly, again, it needs the business model and costs to have a thorough overhaul. I wish them well.

Mick

I went shopping in the CBD last week. Centre parking. 1hr, I thought sweet, location. I had to wait an hour for my gift I was buying to be ready. Shopped some more for presents and topped up the meter before it ran out or so I thought. I didn’t realise I had to move after an hour and copped an $80 fine from the council. I had spent just over $500 at two CBD shops.

Robert

We are just starting to see the longer run effects of a decade of ultra low interest rates driving our economy – asset prices rose and rose and rose and rose because the cost of holding the assets was low, but with low rates people had money to spend. Now interest rates have risen. Landlords put rent up as the market says their building is worth “more”. Due to higher interest rates the consumer has less to spend.

Matty Davis

A good business, but the move to the CBD may have cost them.