MOUNT Gambier’s retail sector has been dealt a major blow amid news the city’s long standing Target store will close its doors.
The shock decision by the national retail giant will see around 35 people lose their jobs at the prominent store.
But it is not all negative news for the city’s retail landscape with national supermarket powerhouse ALDI confirming it will start construction of its new store in coming months.
A Target spokesperson yesterday confirmed the Mount Gambier store will close on May 25.
“Target is working hard to ensure our team members can join another Target team at a store convenient to them or across the wider Wesfarmers retail businesses,” they said.
“Target wants to thank our Mount Gambier team, the local community and all of our customers for shopping with us and looks forward to customers continuing to shop with us online.”
Mount Gambier Chamber of Commerce president Biddie Shearing described the announcement as a sad day for the city’s retail sector and called for people to rally behind the displaced employees.
“The chamber’s immediate thoughts are with those who are employed and their families,” Ms Shearing said.
“We encourage our members and the broader business community if they have any employment opportunities to consider the Target employees.”
But she said the chamber was “thrilled” with news the Fidler and Webb development was likely to begin this quarter.
“We trust the development will utilise local services during the construction phase and this alone will add some additional activity to our city centre,” the business leader said.
“Once completed, this site will help with the city’s vibrancy, economically and visually.”
An ALDI spokesperson confirmed yesterday construction of its Mount Gambier store will begin within months and is expected to open later this year.
Mount Gambier City Council yesterday approved stage one of the development.
According to an ALDI spokesperson, the company hoped to begin construction during the first quarter of this year.
“Our new store will be located in the Fidler and Webb retail centre and is due to open in fourth quarter 2019,” the spokesperson said.
“We are eager to bring our unique shopping experience to local residents in Mount Gambier.
“We have received planning approval for a standalone ALDI store, in conjunction with other retailers which will be developed on the same site by the site’s owner.”
Once open, the store will employee 15 to 20 full and part time employees.
“We will continue to update the community as our plans progress,” the spokesperson said.
Meanwhile, the company that owns the Fidler and Webb site has remained tight-lipped over the future of the Target building yesterday.
GLG owns the sprawling Fidler and Webb site, including the prominent Target store building.
GLG spokesperson Campbell Blennerhassett said he could not comment on specific plans of retailers.
But he said the Fidler and Webb development was “progressing”.
Mr Blennerhassett said the company would release further details on the development in coming weeks.
Mount Gambier City Council has given development plan planning approval for a 6944 square metre ALDI supermarket and four retail spaces constructed at the site.
The $6.8m blueprint will form stage one of a broader development plan for the prominent site.
