Big four sign for shopping Mecca
Aldi, Kmart, Big W, Woolies wrapped up
MORE than 120 specialty stores will be in the mix of the $350 million redevelopment of Gardentown and Grand Central shopping centres.
QIC Global Real Estate has confirmed Aldi, Kmart, Big W, Woolworths and six other “mini majors” will also operate within the complex.
Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Andrew Wielandt said there was a big opportunity for designer stores to take up tenancy in the centre.
“It’s great that we have these established national retailers coming, but we need to make sure we get some unique names,” he said.
“To me, that is the real trick — getting the blend right.”
QIC Global Real Estate has confirmed Aldi and Kmart will be new additions to the redeveloped Grand Central and Gardentown shopping centres.
Big W, Woolworths, six other “mini majors” and 120 specialty shops will also feature in the $350 million centre.
Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Andrew Wielandt said its success would lie in its ability to attract new businesses to the city.
“One of the things QIC spoke about as the premise of the project was stopping the leakage of $300-$400 million down the hill every year,” he said.
“I’ve just come back from Singapore and they have shops like Marks and Spencer, Top Shop, Gap, H&M — all the ones we don’t have.
“Getting some unique names could start ‘reverse leakage’ where people from Brisbane have to come here to shop.”
QIC investment general manager Scott Douglas told business group City Heart Toowoomba that builders’ tenders were due last week.
The first stages of demolition
Getting some unique names could start ‘reverse leakage’ where people from Brisbane have to come here to shop.
within Gardentown are already under way, with construction to
— Andrew Wielandt
begin in October ahead of opening in September, 2016.