End game in store

By Jade Lawton
SAVE a shopkeeper – shop in Pakenham.
That’s the departing call from Toy Kingdom owner Rod Ferguson, who is closing his business on Friday and re-opening in Drouin next month.
Mr Ferguson, who runs the business with wife Angie, said the $80 million development behind Treloar Lane – which will include Woolworths, Big W, specialty shops and a food court – was one of the reasons behind the move.
Construction on the 2.9-hectare project is expected to start in April or May.
Mr Ferguson said that while the development would benefit the town, he was not confident his business could survive without adequate car parking.
“At the end of the day, when the car parks are shut, not a lot of people are going to walk 200 to 300 metres to Main Street,” he said.
Mr Ferguson said the first he heard about the complex was at a meeting about the council’s new footpath trading laws, and felt there had been a lack of communication from the council.
“Traders still do not know when they (the car parks) will shut. This is our livelihood, this is how we earn our money,” he said.
But Pakenham Business Group vice-president Michael Porter said the council had managed to replace all but eight of the car parks set to close.
“We have negotiated with the shire not to close that car park until absolutely necessary,” he said.
Cardinia Shire Council spokesman Paul Dunlop said the council was in the process of finding even more parking sites to service Pakenham’s CBD.
“We will continue to provide information to the Pakenham Business Group, business operators and the wider community as this project progresses,” he said.
Mr Dunlop said the council had a series of events planned to help traders review their business planning, marketing and financial planning in the face of increased competition.
“The council is developing a promotional campaign to encourage shoppers to continue shopping in Pakenham,” he said.
“The campaign will reward shoppers for using the additional car parking by providing vouchers for lucky shoppers per week to use in their favourite Pakenham store.
“In terms of long-term benefit, the resulting development is going to have positive flow-on effects throughout the community, creating over 700 jobs and helping to entrench Pakenham as a major retail centre.”
Mr Ferguson urged residents to support local traders during the development period.
“Pakenham people have been very loyal to the town. So long as people remain loyal, they will be fine,” he said.