Mittagong main street businesses can expect an increase in trade following an initial downturn when the Highlands Marketplace opens in February, Woolworths national manager (property development) Paul Oates told local business owners on Monday night.
Mr Oates said experience from similar out-of-town Woolworths development, such as Coffs Harbour, showed that main street businesses could take some time to adjust to the sudden influx of new businesses.
"They are a big development and you can't just add a shop or two at a time," he said.
"Inevitably what happens is that you bring a large number of shops (into town) in one go and it takes a while for trade to build to that."
Mr Oates said the Highlands Marketplace would reduce escape expenditure from the Southern Highlands to areas such as Campbelltown.
Full Story: SHN, Wednesday, November 29.
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