PERTH’S CBD retail scene is on the cusp of a major revitalisation.
The biggest development is David Jones’ $100 million renovation and extension of the old Aherns store between Hay and Murray Street malls.
Harvey Norman has taken over eight ArchieMartin Vox stores – including the City West store – and Myer will build its white and brown goods megamart on the old Canterbury Court site in Northbridge.
Retail Traders Association manager Brian Reynolds said the three projects would provide a significant revitalisation of CBD retail.
“The David Jones development is the only one that will have a significant impact on its own because it is the only one in the traditional retail precinct,” Mr Reynolds said.
Woolworths is also making a return to the CBD with a $15 million supermarket, specialty shop and recreation development on the site immediately east of Forrest Chase.
This will provide a boon for inner city residents who have been without a supermarket since 1988.
Lord Mayor Peter Nattrass said the Perth City Council had been trying to make Perth a city for people for the past four years.
“We’ve had a four-fold increase in inner city residential and these are the flow-on effects,” Dr Nattrass said.
