A proactive partnership between the developers and the Steve Tshwete Local Municipality is ensuring that the catalytic impact of the Mall on the surrounding region, its economy and its communities is maximized.

Located just off the busy N4 highway at corner of Fontein Street and Tswelopele Avenue, the regional shopping centre represents a R450 million investment in the Middelburg, which is recognised as being a fast-growing and increasingly affluent market.

“We’re very aware of the positive role that Middelburg Mall will play in the local economy,” says Patrick Flanagan of developers and investors Flanagan & Gerard Property Development & Investment. “Our collaboration with the local municipality is making sure that every opportunity is tapped.”

The municipality, in an innovative move, has appointed two dedicated Community Liaison Officers to the project, with a view to optimizing local job creation, sourcing local skills, and bringing local suppliers on board.

Flanagan points to creating jobs and the transfer of skills during the construction phase. Middelburg Mall will also generate hundreds of permanent sustainable jobs for the Middleburg community. “It will also retain local consumer spend, which is currently leaking into other surrounding areas,” he adds.

Along with the Moolman Group, Flanagan & Gerard are driving the development.

“Protech, the contractors handling the ground works are ahead of schedule and should complete their part of the project shortly,” explains Pieter Beyers of the Moolman Group. “Construction of the mall started in November 2010, with completion scheduled for March 2012.”

Middelburg Mall is being carefully designed for future expansion, to meet the needs of the growing consumer market. “We’ve planned to accommodate future expansion if demand continues to grow,” explains Jannie Moolman of the Moolman Group. “This could result in Middleburg Mall ultimately expanding to more than 60,000sqm.” This will see it retaining its function as Middelburg’s regional shopping centre.