Preston Gaddy  with project managers Lisette Keightley and John Townsend (C and I) Durban's popular, The Pavilion Shopping Centre, is expected to break the R2 billion turnover mark in the financial year ending today, June 30, according to general manager Preston Gaddy whose figures suggest the 107 000 square metre retail centre is now the second most heavily shopped destination in the country.

Only Cape Town's V & A apparently tops The Pavilion's appeal of pulling in more than 20 million visitors annually with a turnover contribution of R1,8 billion in the financial year ending June 30 2004. Some 80 million people have shopped at the midway mark between Pinetown and Durban in the past four years

Gaddy, who was interviewed at this week's s fourth phase addition of another

5 000 square metres, pegs the centre's combined current monthly turnover between R165 million and R175 million.

The new R32 million extension is to be taken up by The Hub and by the existing Mr Price and Toys 'R Us stores.

Phase four commenced late last year and included extensions to the already existing Truwoths and Cape Union Mart stores who opened its doors in November 2004.

Now in the final throes of completion the extended Toys 'R Us and Mr Price Home stores are due to resume trading in the first week of August. Toys 'R Us is expanding its floor area by almost 1 000 sm from 1 430sm to 2 349sm while Mr Price is making a giant leap from 550sm of floor area to 2 294 sm.

The Hub's arrival is the result of research pinpointing a strong customer desire for the retail outlet inclusion in the centre hence its take up of 2 000 sm when it opens in the first week of August,

Phase four elevates the Pavilion's gross lettable area to 107 000.

A feature of the extension highlighted with pride by John Townsend, executive director of project managers Betts Townsend, was the inclusion of professionals and consultants from previously disadvantaged communities on the project through joint ventures with the more established firms.

Townsend said every company employed on the project had brought in joint venture partners from previously disadvantaged communities with the purpose of exposing their colleagues to retail development. As a result some 60 percent of the project had been completed by formerly disenfranchised professionals.

Submitted: 30 Jun 2005