Retail dynamics to change, says magazine

The opening of a new supermarket at Umina Beach has signalled a "new dawn" for the village and a change in the retail dynamics for the whole Peninsula area, according to Central Coast Business Review magazine.

In a cover story that appeared in the magazine's August edition, the Central Coast Business Review stated that, although not all traders were happy with the new Woolworths coming to town, there was strong evidence that the supermarket was attracting new customers and an overflow into surrounding shops.

Umina pharmacist Mr Michael Cunico of You Save Chemist and Souls Chemist in West St told the local business publication he was very upbeat about the town's future.

"We are seeing customers from Kariong, Bensville, Daley's Point and other areas in our stores now and this was never the case," Mr Cunico said.

"With Woolies opening seven days a week, we are now opening on Sundays until 12.30pm and we are getting good patronage.

"Until Woolies came, it simply wasn't a proposition."

Mr Cunico said he now had the confidence to expand the post office in his Souls shop with the new Coles supermarket opening in October and an Aldi supermarket within the next two years.

The magazine reported that the retail war that is set to break out in the lead-up to Christmas would see Umina become a retail shopping destination into the future.

"Add to this a proposed Aldi Supermarket within walking distance of Woolworths and Coles and one can see the retail dynamics on the Peninsula will be changed forever," the Central Coast Business Review reported.

"The opening of the new Woolworths corresponded with the closing of their Flemmings supermarket, a 3000 square metre box on a 4000 square metre site on the corner of West and South Sts.

"The property which is owned by a Sydney investor is certain to lure a new retailer looking to cash in on the new Umina.

"Around the corner in Ocean Beach Rd, McDonalds Australia is planning a new family restaurant which will considerably activate the West St and Ocean Beach Rd intersection and provide for 80 full time and part time jobs in the precinct.

"This is crucial for the Peninsula which suffers from one of the highest youth unemployment rates on the Central Coast."

Peninsula Chamber of Commerce president Mr Matthew Wales commented on the effect of retail and commercial development in Umina saying the big retailers had brought a rare opportunity for small operators to re-assess their businesses and take advantage of the increase in foot traffic.

The Central Coast Business Review also reported that the retail revolution taking place in Umina would have a profound impact on Woy Woy CBD.

"Woy Woy is no longer the only retail shopping destination on the Peninsula and all businesses will need to determine a new strategy to ensure that the town centre survives and prospers," according to the magazine.

"The changed retail environment on the Peninsula has the potential to damage Woy Woy.

"However its natural attributes and well established commercial businesses coupled with its public transport interchange provides the basis with some visionary thinking for new opportunities.

"Much will hinge on the attitudes of property owners as well as business owners.

"Dwelling on the past and doing nothing will ultimately lead to declining property values, as it has in Gosford."

Mr Wales said it was now essential to come up with a new strategy for the Woy Woy CBD as shoppers gravitate to easier retail precincts like Umina.

He said the Peninsula Chamber would encourage Gosford Council to come up with a new structure plan for Woy Woy precinct similar to the Umina Village Structure Plan in the Draft Gosford Development Control Plan.

"As with Umina Beach, the Chamber will be seeking urgent discussions with the council with the view to looking for new strategies to reinvigorate the town centre," Mr Wales said.

"Above all, the town centres of Woy Woy and Ettalong Beach need fundamental structural changes instead of fluffing around the edges with cosmetic changes.

"Development incentives are important together with innovative design and planning solutions."

Publication, 20 Sep 2010 Central Coast Business Review