Target Northgate to close on Friday, future of retail space remains unclear
The union representing retail workers says the majority of the permanent workforce at Target’s Northgate store – which closes for good on Friday – have opted to take a redundancy.
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The majority of Target’s permanent workforce at its Northgate store have opted to take a redundancy, with the major retailer set to vacate the space for good.
After more than three decades, the Glenorchy Target store will close its doors on Friday – but it remains unclear what will fill the void it leaves behind.
Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association Tasmanian branch secretary Paul Griffin said while it was “very disappointing” to see Target close, employees were given ample notice of the decision and therefore had time to seek out other work opportunities.
“My understanding is, from the information I’m receiving, the majority of employees have taken up the offer of redundancy,” he said.
Mr Griffin said the workforce at the Northgate Target store was typically “about the 60 mark” and varied over time, depending on the number of available casuals.
Target is part of the Kmart Group, which is owned by Wesfarmers.
Target confirmed last weekend that its Glenorchy store would be closing, saying the decision was due to a breakdown in negotiations over a new lease.
It’s unclear what the future holds for the space, with Mr Griffin saying there had been “a couple of proposals put forward”.
“There were some discussions that … another of the business operations of Wesfarmers (may lease the space),” he said. “My understanding is that there’s been no further talk on that – that was several months ago – so I’m assuming that that’s now not necessarily the case.”
Glenorchy Mayor Bec Thomas said the council expected that “other retail stores” would occupy the space “shortly”.
Vicinity Centres, the owners of Northgate, did not respond to requests for comment.
Major retailer to shut after failed lease talks
SOUTHERN Tasmania’s original Target store is closing its doors for good next week, nearly three decades after it opened.
The popular department store at Glenorchy’s Northgate Shopping Centre was established in 1995 and has been a fixture of the centre ever since.
But it has been forced to close after negotiations over a new lease broke down, Target senior corporate affairs manager Kaitlin Murphy said.
“Our Target Glenorchy store will be closing on 22nd January, 2022, due to a lease expiry as unfortunately a new lease could not be mutually negotiated,” she said.
“We sincerely thank our Glenorchy team, the local community and all of our customers for shopping with us over the years.”
Ms Murphy said Target would redeploy some of its local staff to other Wesfarmers businesses and help others find work with different employers.
“Any permanent team members who we are unable to secure suitable redeployment will have access to all their entitlements,” she said.
Long-time Glenorchy resident Jan Bryan said it would be “very sad” to see Target close.
“It is the main store there,” she said.
“It’s the backbone (of Northgate). It’s been there all that time.
“And elderly people, it’s so good and accessible for them.
“I’m constantly buying things for my grandchildren there. People do their Christmas shopping there because of the variety that it has.”
Glenorchy Mayor Bec Thomas said she knew locals would be saddened by the closure but that she expected to see “other retail stores occupy the space shortly”.
“The Glenorchy CBD already offers a variety of large and small retailers, providing a great selection for shoppers and we are excited to see which new retail outlets will come to our city, including to Northgate, in the coming months,” Ald Thomas said.
“We are confident the people of Glenorchy will embrace and welcome new retailers to the shopping centre, adding to the revitalisation of our CBD.”
The Target at Northgate was part of an $18m expansion to the shopping centre announced in 1994. It opened alongside a new Coles supermarket and more than 60 additional shops.
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