The existing Brackenfell Mall is currently receiving a R30 million facelift and upgrade, along with a name change.
 
Building work commenced in July and the new shopping centre, which will then be called Fairbridge Mall, will open its doors on 25 November 2004.
 
A lease agreement for 25 years with the Shoprite Checkers Group has been concluded, with the retailer about to implement their own R15 million project, to convert the store to a Checkers Hyper, which they feel will best suit the requirements of its loyal customers.  The initial 10-year lease agreement is worth R40 million.
 
Andre van der Merwe, Project Manager for Fairbridge Mall, expects the present foot-traffic figure of 250 000 shoppers per month, to grow to 400 000 once the mall re-opens as Fairbridge Mall.  The mall is centrally located within the Brackenfell, Kraaifontein and Kuilsriver region and is easily accessible from the N1 and R300.  Of the 200 000 residents who live within a 5km radius of the mall, 56% earn in excess of R8000 per month.
 
“The new mall will focus on convenience.  Shoppers today are looking for convenience and value for their money, together with a pleasant shopping experience.  The new Fairbridge Mall, has been planned around these key needs of the “time-pressed” consumer,” says Ari Efstathiou, Developer of Fairbridge Mall.
 
Colliers International have been appointed as the Leasing Agents for Fairbridge Mall which will open its doors with 78 shops that include Clicks, Ackermans, Sheet Street, Sterns and Topic.  A few more key tenants, to complete the tenant mix plan, are being sort.
 
According to van der Merwe, negotiations are underway with the Edgar’s Group for a Jet / Smileys / Cuthberts store as well as with the Truworths Group and Mr Price Group for a Mr Price Weekender and Mr Price Home stores. 
 
“A new novel feature will be a full interior/exterior Food Court surrounded by restaurants such as Steers, Debonairs Pizza, Wimpy and Church’s Chicken.  The food court is centrally located at the mall and will add to the convenience for shoppers. Negotiations are still underway with more restaurants and retailers”, said van der Merwe.
 
The new shopping centre will have two new access points from Old Paarl Road.  The existing Old Paarl Road entrance will be improved and a new signalised access from the West side, between the petrol station and the Shoprite Head Office, will be developed with abundant parking. This will greatly improve access on the west side making the mall one of total convenience.
 
The two main entrances of the mall will have a covered, drop off point for shoppers and the existing parking, for 1500 vehicles, will be upgraded.
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For more information:
•         Andre van der Merwe, Project Manager – Andre van der Merwe & Associates on (021) 402-8700
•         Ingrid von Stein, Gray Marketing & Communications on (021) 465 4537 / 082 327 8563 or Laurette Doveton of Colliers International on (021) 421-2012