The rapidly growing George region is set for a major boost in October with the opening of a R400-million shopping mall with 120 stores - the largest shopping centre on the Garden Route.

The George Business Chamber believes the new Garden Route Shopping Mall - situated on the N2 about six kilometres east of the centre of George - will have mostly positive implications for the town?s CBD.

"The CBD infrastructure is already under enormous pressure, particularly evident in traffic congestion," said Chamber executive member Darryl Austin.

"The mall will draw shoppers out of the CBD, making town a much more pleasant shopping experience."

Austin believes the site of the mall is particularly appropriate in this regard, as out-of-town shoppers will not need to venture into the CBD and add further to its congestion.

"Traditionally, the Southern Cape has lacked a substantial shopping experience, and as a result people have gone to Port Elizabeth or Cape Town to do their Christmas shopping.

"With shoppers set to spend here, the mall will have a positive impact on the region as a whole."

Austin says that although there are fears that the mall will lead to businesses moving from the centre of George, this is a natural part of any city's growth.

"George's population is projected to grow by 50% in the next 10 years, so the mall is a necessary means of satisfying the growing needs of this population."

Austin warned that the mall?s rentals were likely to be high and that it might not be suitable for smaller businesses.

Construction of the mall was planned in two separate phases, but high demand for shop space convinced the developers to fast-track Phase 2 with both phases to be complete by opening day on October 27.

Austin sees the fast-tracking as a vote of confidence in the mall.

Louis van der Watt, chief executive of mall developer Atterbury, says that it would be naïve not to expect the city's retail environment to change.

"Though some tenants are relocating their business from George central to the mall, there will be many new retailers that are not yet represented in George."

Van der Watt ascribes the high demand for retail space to the fact that George's present trading environment does not provide the appropriate quality setting suitable for high-end retailers.

"Most of the mall's tenants will position themselves towards customers in the A and B income streams and so we have used the high-end finishes for the mall that these customers expect".

Aside from George, Van der Watt expects the mall's customer "catchment area" will include Mossel Bay, Oudtshoorn and Plettenberg Bay, with fewer visitors expected from the Karoo.

The region's sizeable tourism economy has been catered for by an appropriate tenant mix.

Van der Watt estimates that the approximately 46,000 square metre, single-storey centre will be worth R400-million when complete and will undoubtedly be the biggest retail centre on the Garden Route.

Approximately 500 local jobs will have been created during the 16-month construction period.

The opening in October is strategically timed for the last weekend of the month, which is traditionally the best for shopping mall trading.

It will also capitalise on the December tourist and festive seasons. Anchor tenants include Woolworths, Edgars, Stuttafords, Cape Union Mart, and Queenspark.

Game store and Ster Kinekor cinemas are among businesses that will continue to operate in the George CBD only until their leases run out. Their move to the mall will take place towards the middle of next year.

But Pick 'n Pay will continue to run its existing supermarket in George East when the new, smaller one in the mall opens.

The mall will also feature a food court, part of which will be under open skies, and a quick access take-away section. These will form an entertainment hub, together with a seven-cinema complex with a total capacity of 1,300 seats.

Fruit and Veg city will be located within a "value component" of the building, situated for convenience shopping at one end.

Access to the mall will be from a single point on the Knysna road for the moment, with a second access still to come.

Atterbury will alter the road and provide necessary traffic signals according to specific requirements of the provincial traffic department.

Approximately 2,000 parking bays will be provided.

A new hotel and residential housing are planned for the land to the west of the mall.

The mall will boost Atterbury?s already significant foothold in the national shopping centre industry.

Their property portfolio already includes six major malls in Gauteng and Cape Town. They have a combined value of more than R3-billion.

Eastern Province Herald