SHOPPING CHANGE IN STORE
EXPANSION PLAN: P6-7
SHOPPING is getting a shake-up at the city’s biggest retail complex with new blueprints revealing the extent of plans to transform Myer and bring in a new supermarket competitor.
A development application to Cairns Regional Council shows owner Lendlease’s intention to extend Cairns Central Shopping Centre’s current Myer tenancy with an extra 945 sqm of floorspace over two levels on McLeod St.
The ground-floor extension would measure 535 sqm, with another 410 sqm on the upper floor, aligning with the existing building line of the McLeod St facade.
“The external paint colours, cladding panels, facade material and finishes will also match the existing building,” the application states.
“Architectural relief is provided in the form of an extension of the existing covered footpath awning, glass window displays and concrete cladded panels with decorative grooves to facilitate depth and visual interest within the proposed extension.
“A screened plant room will also be constructed above the Spence St loading dock, set back approximately 19m from this road frontage.”
Myer has previously told the Cairns Post the retailer was in discussions about reconfiguring the Cairns store from its current dual-level tenancy to a single larger floor.
The company did not envisage any reduction in staff members and intended to improve the product and brand offerings in the store.
Woolworths has been in discussions about taking over the top floor tenancy but is yet to make an official announcement.
Lendlease has been tightlipped about the state of play except to say it was “in discussions with various retailers about plans for a refurbishment”.
“The extension fronting McLeod St, is part of a broader plan to revitalise the centre, by offering customers with additional quality retail brands and greater convenience,” Cairns Central centre manager Christie-Lee Jackson said.
“Cairns Central is always looking for opportunities to enhance the centre, to meet the needs of our customers and retailers.”
However, the new extension plans provide concrete evidence for the first time that Woolworths is making a play for the city’s flagship shopping centre.
The proposed new Woolies has not been drawn into the floor plan but the term “Woolworths” is mentioned six times in the document, including concept-only plans showing the supermarket giant’s loading dock capabilities for truck movements.
It would be Woolworths’ first foray into Cairns Central, which currently has Coles as its sole supermarket and has previously been home to the now-defunct Bi-Lo chain.
A time frame for the development – which still needs council approval – is yet to be revealed.