McDonald’s, OPSM quitting Johnsonville mall
The future of the Johnsonville Shopping Centre is looking more uncertain than ever with the exit of two major retailers.
Optometrist chain OPSM this week vacated the increasingly empty mall in the northern Wellington suburb, and McDonald’s has confirmed it will close in less than three months.
Labour Ohariu candidate Greg O’Connor, who recently met mall owners Stride Property Group, said the latest development was disappointing, not only for customers but for the entire Johnsonville community.
‘‘Despite two key tenants planning to abandon the mall soon, Stride have refused a request to attend a public meeting with residents concerned at the rundown state of the mall and lack of development. This is evidence of the cavalier and arrogant way in which locals have been treated over the mall’s future,’’ he said.
Last month, O’Connor chaired a meeting to canvass the public’s mood about the mall development so far. The meeting, which was attended by more than 250 people, including Wellington Mayor Justin Lester, heard that resource consent had been granted for the mall redevelopment to go ahead, but it was now up to Stride to make the next move.
However, despite multiple invitations, no-one from the property group attended, instead opting to provide a statement outlining the company’s ‘‘current position on the proposed redevelopment’’.
‘‘We have been working to secure pre-commitment from selected retailers as part of our commercial feasibility requirements,’’ it said. ‘‘Negotiating with key tenants can be protracted and restricts the level of comment we are able to make to the public at the current time.’’
McDonald’s communications executive Sarah Fitzpatrick this week confirmed the fast-food outlet’s impending departure. ‘‘We won’t be renewing our lease when it comes up in September.’’
Stride, formerly known as DNZ, was granted resource consent in 2009 to increase the mall
"Stride have refused a request to attend a public meeting with residents concerned at the rundown state of the mall and lack of development." Labour Ohariu candidate Greg O'Connor
from 10,000 square metres into a 32,000sqm, two-level centre, at a cost of about $300 million. However, the plan was later scaled back to 26,000sqm, and the cost reduced by half.
Earlier this month, Stride general manager of investment Phillip Littlewood said the company was taking its time to make sure it wasn’t another ‘‘cookie-cutter’’ mall. ‘‘I’d be the first to say that the customers and the people of Johnsonville have been unbelievably patient ... We just want to be sure we get it right.’’
Despite the reassurances, O’Connor said the offer stood for Stride to attend a future meeting and explain its plans to the public.
‘‘For Stride to refuse to even meet with locals, despite indicating they would be prepared to do so in a meeting with myself and the mayor, is frankly disgraceful.’’