By Mikayla van Loon
The Coles supermarket in Kilsyth will close this Sunday 13 February after being open for nearly 50 years.
Plans were in motion to replace the supermarket in October last year, after it was publicly advertised that a Dan Murphy’s would be moving into the premises.
In August 2020, the 2,183sqm property was sold to an investor for $4.25 million and plans were submitted to Yarra Ranges Council to use the land for the sale of packaged liquor.
A Coles spokesperson said the supermarket chain was always evaluating the store network in order to deliver the best service and experience for its customers and part of that process was to close the Kilsyth store permanently.
“We are working closely with our team members during this transition period, including offering redeployment opportunities at other stores in our network,” the spokesperson said.
“Customers of our Kilsyth store will find the same great value and quality they expect from Coles at our nearby stores just down the road at Mooroolbark, Croydon and Croydon North.”
The Kilsyth Community Action Group (KCAG) discussed the matter at its most recent meeting on Thursday 10 February and said the Coles was an anchor in the Kilsyth community that will be missed by many.
“As the longest standing of the supermarkets in the precinct, Coles tended to be the anchor that brought people into the area,” KCAG said.
“Shoppers have enjoyed the choice offered by having three major supermarkets in close proximity – Coles, Aldi, and Woolworths – so it was a very convenient arrangement for many.”
Although not concerned about the clientele a Dan Murphy’s might bring and pleased about the investment in Kilsyth as a town, KCAG did raise concerns about the increased traffic.
“KCAG is concerned about the impact of the high turnover of ‘fly in, fly out’ Dan Murphy’s customers on traffic and parking arrangements.”
The KCAG committee are worried the already dangerous entry into the shopping precinct from Mount Dandenong Road will worsen.
While sure the Dan Murphy’s will bring customers, KCAG said it was “difficult to estimate the impact on numbers” of people lingering to shop at the other stores, which have already seen a decline.
Having been trying for quite some time to revive the shopping complex in Kilsyth to make it the heart of the town, KCAG is hopeful that with a Dan Murphy’s will come improvements to the other shop fronts.
“Presently, the Coles strip of shops is in need of repair – some parts of the awning are unstable, especially in wet weather, the footpath is uneven, the toilets between Coles and the Pharmacy leave a lot to be desired, and the general appearance is rundown.
“It is a longstanding goal of KCAG to make the whole shopping complex, along with the marvellous Kilsyth Recreation Reserve behind the Coles shops, and Kilsyth Memorial Hall, into an area that attracts residents to visit for their shopping, meeting for a chat and coffee, and generally catching up – a true community centre for Kilsyth.”
