Mitre 10 to open Mega store in Oamaru

An artist's impression of Oamaru's Mitre 10 Mega store, expected to open in early 2020. PHOTO:...
An artist's impression of Oamaru's Mitre 10 Mega store, expected to open in early 2020. PHOTO: SUPPLIED
Mitre 10 (New Zealand) Ltd has confirmed it will open a Mitre 10 Mega store in Oamaru next year, more than doubling the size of its retail store in Severn St.

Work on the company's 6000sqm, $18million premises in Dee St is under way and at this stage, it will open for business early next year.

Mitre 10 Oamaru owner operator Simon Lye said the news would be welcomed by many in the Waitaki district and help boost the district's economy.

"We are excited to be bringing a Mitre 10 Mega to the Waitaki district, providing a more comprehensive home improvement offer to the community, including extended and new product ranges and a fully serviced trade offer, as well as amenities like the Columbus [coffee] Cafe and playground for local families.

"We will be investing $18million to increase the footprint of the store to 6000sqm, making it more than double its current size ... we will need to employ a further 20 team members, in a mix of full and part-time roles. This will see our team grow to more than 60 people."

On May 3 the Waitaki District Council approved a resource consent application from Christchurch-based Du Velle Properties Ltd, of which Mr Lye is a director,

for 5 to 15 Dee St and 70 to 76 Ribble St.

A copy of the council's decision showed the main entrance to the premises will be in Dee St and the exit of the drive-through area in Ribble St.

The car park area will cover land accessible from both streets.

Waitaki Mayor Gary Kircher said the announcement was a boost for the district.

"It's another really positive sign of the confidence in the business community in that construction and home improvement part ... I understand it will lead to further jobs directly, so all in all it's a very good story.

"It's putting a pretty big business right in the main street. In recent times we've had a shift in retail and how it's happening. It's not all doom and gloom ... it's converting what has been a light industrial area to a commercial area, so it's going to be a change for neighbours, but it's going to be in a pretty good location overall."

The store will be on land once partly occupied by Apex Engineering, which relocated to the North Oamaru Business Park earlier this year.

Mitre 10 Oamaru, formerly owned by Robertson's Hardware, which is on a 2200sqm site in Severn St, first operated from premises in Thames St, from early 1992 until later the same year, when it relocated to Severn St.

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