New Limpopo mall to boost regional economy

Limpopo Province will soon be home to a R1.2 billion shopping centre that is expected to enhance the local economy of the area through job creation, empowerment and consumer spend. 

Situated in Polokwane, the province's capital city, the Mall of the North is expected to create some 1500 to 2000 permanent jobs as well as 600 temporary jobs.

The regional mall will have a gross total of 75 000m2 of leasable floor space as well as parking for up to 4 500 cars. Anchor tenants include Pick n Pay and Checkers which are joined by other major retailers such as Edgars, Woolworths, and Game. The mall will also include a Food Court and a six-screen cinema complex.

Patrick Flanagan of property developer Flanagan & Gerard explains that the Mall of the North will create a broader based retail, restaurant and entertainment offering in Polokwane and result in a significant retention of important gross retail spend in Limpopo, which is currently being spent elsewhere, notably Gauteng.

“It will also attract additional consumer spend to the area by unlocking new retail prospects. “Mall of the North will serve Polokwane as well as the entire northern region of the country with cross-border shopping as an additional factor,” said Flanagan.

Earthworks on the mall commenced at the end of February.  The mall is expected to be open in the first quarter of 2011.

Source: www.sagoodnews.co.za