Trader appeals for support

By Rebecca Fraser
A HALLAM trader claims the community has turned its back on his supermarket amid contentious plans to build a Bi-Lo at the Spring Square shopping precinct.
Darren McInroy said sales had dropped dramatically at Food Works since Coles Myer bought the store.
He says Coles is trying to retain Food Works customers while it pursues plans to build a bigger Bi-Lo within the same shopping precinct.
Mr McInroy said speculation about the proposed development and the takeover by Coles Myer had turned local shoppers away.
Casey council is expected to vote on the proposed development in April following numerous public meetings but until then Mr McInroy said the supermarket and its staff have been left in limbo.
He said many residents had the false impression that the store had ‘sold out’ to Coles Myer and no longer wanted to be there, when this was far from the case.
“We had young families and needed to look at our best interests.
“We were not in a position to fight Coles Myer,” he said.
Mr McInroy said if the Bi-Lo development went ahead they would remain open for another 18 months to two years until the large supermarket chain was complete.
He said he was keen to see a decision made so that both he and his staff could decide what to do.
“Our staff want to know as they have families too and need to know whether they should start looking for jobs elsewhere or stay.
“It was never in our sights to offload the business but we had to look at the big picture and what was best for our families.
“We are still here servicing the community but we need them to get behind us,” he said.
Mr McInroy said if the plan was not passed by the council he would definitely consider buying back the lease and staying.
However, he said he doubted that a large supermarket such as Bi-Lo would survive at Spring Square judging on recent poor traffic and customer levels.
He said business had dropped off by at least 15 to 20 per cent in the past year since news of the proposed development surfaced and the store was now serving 1500 fewer customers per week.
“We have been here for six years and there would not have been a Spring Square without the supermarket.
“It seems to me that many people are still going to Dandenong and Fountain Gate.
“I can’t see a bigger supermarket making that much of a difference unless the community gets behind Spring Square.
“A big store just does not seem sustainable judging by the traffic.
“We could end up with no supermarket if the community does not get behind us,” he said.
Hallam resident Bill Pawley has been a staunch opponent of the redevelopment and said a drop in trade to all shops, as indicated by ample parking being available during the day, indicated that shoppers were staying away.
He urged residents to support the Food Works and said if Bi-Lo was built it would create an eyesore and unnecessary traffic and parking pressures.
“I am worried that Spring Square will be over developed.
“They (Food Works) provide a great community service and I encourage residents to support Spring Square and get behind the shops before it dies off.”