Roma BCF: What you had to say about chain’s new store

From the desire for an Aldi and a Big W, to concerns about what a large multinational could do to local businesses, here’s what you had to say about BCF coming to Roma.

Following the announcement BCF would be set up in Roma, there has been a spirited debate in the comment section of our story.

It was revealed this week that BCF had submitted a development application with the proposed site to be built at 67-69 Arthur St, the location of the former Elders building.

The BCF will be located on Arthur St, but will also extend through to Hawthorne St.

With almost 50 comments for and against the announcement, here’s what you had to say about BCF coming to town.

Desire for more shopping options

Groceries

The most overwhelming comments we received were locals expressing the desire for a grocery store over a fishing and camping store.

“What Roma would benefit from is a bulk buying place like Costco to help supply the west,” Will Hutchins wrote.

“Roma is the hub for a lot of industry from ag to mining and something like this could potentially create more jobs and benefit more than something like BCF for a bit of camping gear for the tourist dollars.”

Several commenters suggested an Aldi would be perfect for Roma.

“It would be great if Aldi put a store up here bit of competition,” Eden Hampton said.

Casey Nicholls and Anthony King agreed.

“Why not put a Big W or Aldi, be more useful for the families.

“An Aldi or Fresh N Save is what the town needs.”

Clothing stores

Other commenters suggested the town was lacking when it came to clothing stores.

“Roma needs a Big W store,’ Ruth Holder said.

“A Best and Less would be a better option for young families and the elderly, Kmart hub is a joke for clothing,” Carol Schefe said.

Maree Maunder agreed.

“Exactly there is no where to buy casual clothes since target left. Clothing for families is more important that BCF stuff, that's a luxury compared to clothing.”

“They need to put a better clothes shop so you can buy clothes for big people,” Melynda McCoy wrote.

“What a waste of time, we need Big W or Best n Less not a fishing boating camping place,“ Katrina White said.

BCF have launched an application to build a store in Roma

Support Local Business

Other commenters suggested that the introduction of a large conglomerate could have detrimental effects on local business.

“I am not a BCF sort of person – I don’t boat, camp or fish. I have, over the years, shopped at our local camping business for gifts for others and I will continue to do that – plus they are awesome sponsors for local sporting groups, ’ Roma Golf Club wrote.

“Well, I’m staying with the locals, they’ve done the hard yards over the many years and supported clubs in a great manner. The same as if/when Bunnings come here, I willingly will pay a bit more for local business,” Wayne Bryant said.

‘‘What’s the point it will be great for a month, then that will be it why not support the local fishing and camping stores and you can shop online for BCF anyway I just don’t get it,” Jamie Buckley agreed.

“So the big boys come to town and destroy a great family business owned by a local … ridiculous situation,” Marg Oakman wrote.

“I feel it’s not a great move. They have the big business buying power in bulk, that our local small business doesn’t have. It will choke out the little people in the business. As a small-business owner in town, I can see it’s a bad move,” Kirby Johnstone said.

Where’s the water?

Some commenters simply suggested there weren't enough water sources around Roma to make a BCF viable.

“Quite frankly I don't think they would make a go of it here as not enough water around …. kinda be BCF without the B and F. That’s just my opinion from a small business point of view,’ Kirby Johnstone said.

“Imagine having a BCF & no river to fish in,” Kelvin Duiker wrote.

Potential Benefits of Large Retailers

“Sorry people get with the times. how is a town meant to grow. Yes there is family businesses locally owned that may suffer but they will have their loyal customers,” Brenda Pearce wrote.

“I’m quite certain our bigger towns would have businesses that have been around for many years owned by locals then bigger retailers move in too, some suffer and some thrive. I'm quite excited to see what actually gets built on the land.”

“Great to see about time things are getting built in Roma,” Paul Hearne added.

Originally published as Roma BCF: What you had to say about chain’s new store