By Mitchell Clarke
One of Pakenham’s original tenants will close in June to make way for a new Aldi supermarket.
After months of speculation, Target has officially confirmed to the Gazette their store in the Pakenham Place shopping centre will shut down.
“We want to thank our Pakenham team, the local community and all of our customers for shopping with us over the years and hope they will consider visiting us online,” a Target spokeswoman said.
The move will mean around 53 crew members will be without a job, but the retail giant has vowed to work with staff on redeployment opportunities.
“Our focus is on supporting our team through this time as we work through achieving their desired outcomes for the future whether that is in suitable redeployment within other Wesfarmers businesses as well as with other employers in town or accessing their entitlements for any permanent team members,” the spokeswoman added.
The Gazette understands Target had been negotiating rents and lease with the shopping centre’s new landlord for some time.
The Pakenham Place shopping centre is preparing to undergo a drastic makeover, with construction slated to begin in July.
It means traders, including Toy World, will be required to relocate by June. It’s hoped construction will be finished before April 2022.
It’s understood Coles and Good Neighbour Pharmacy will continue to trade throughout the renovations.
Pakenham Place centre manager Andy Yusuf said the new look shopping precinct would give the growing suburb a town centre again.
“I think it’ll be amazing for the area. The food offer and the new shops that we are planning will just reinvigorate Pakenahm place completely,” Mr Yusuf said.
“From what I’ve been told, 20-30 years ago, this was the hub of Pakenham but it’s gone down a bit since. Once complete, I think this will be main shopping centre of Pakenham, it will have to be.
“It’ll just give the people of Pakenham a new place to come and enjoy. It’ll give the area a town centre again.”
