Complex is a ‘ghost town’

Retailers struggle as shops close

A SHOPPING complex in Toowoomba is being described as a “ghost town”, after its major retailer closed, forcing other businesses to follow suit.

In August 2016, the IGA at Bridge St Plaza suddenly closed and it later went into liquidation.

Since then other retailers in the centre have been forced to either wind back trading hours or close.

There are only four stores

❝

Itisa ghost town, especially with more and more businesses dropping off.

— Kristie Sharpley

trading at the centre, RHair Design, Born and Bread Bakery, Bridge St Plaza Pharmacy and Bhallas Indian Restaurant.

Cino’s on Bridge is the latest store to close, shutting up shop two weeks ago.

RHair Design owner Kristie Sharpley said with another store closed it was getting harder for the remaining stores to survive.

“I opened my salon about seven months before IGA closed and have noticed since then foot traffic has dropped off significantly and it’s hard because we rely on walk-in trade,” she said.

“It is a ghost town, especially with more and more businesses dropping off.

“Everyone is definitely stressed but we are really lucky to have the support of our regular customers to keep us going.”

The business owners are holding out hope that when Aldi opens in the centre it will help boost business for everyone. Last year the supermarket giant announced it would open at the former site of IGA.

The existing site at the corner of Bridge St and Boundary Rd would be extended to accommodate the planned 350sqm site, with the capacity for a 98sqm speciality store to also open at the centre.

Ms Sharpley said she believed construction on the site was set to begin next month with completion scheduled for later this year.

“We are just patiently waiting and hoping that when it opens it will boost our business. We need it to,” she said.

“But in the meantime we want to let people know we are here and encourage people to visit us.

“We are really thankful to all the people who continue to support us.”

The Chronicle attempted to contact centre owner Warwick Edge to confirm the start of Aldi construction but was unable to reach him.

PHOTO: BEV LACEY GHOST TOWN: Worried about the lack of business in the Bridge Street Plaza complex are (from left) Born and Bread Bakery owner Alison Reeves, Bridge Street Plaza Pharmacy owner Peter Degnian and RH Design Kristie Sharpley.

PHOTO: BEV LACEY OPEN FOR BUSINESS: Kristie Sharpley wants to remind people the complex is still up and running.

PHOTO: BEV LACEY CLOSED FOR GOOD: Cino’s on Bridge closed two weeks ago and is the latest store forced to shut.