LYDENBURG – The Panorama Mall, one of this town’s largest investments, is still going ahead.
Speculation and rumours that the mall will not be built were nipped in the bud by the managing agent of this project, Mr Alf de la Hunt of Thornby Mellows One.
De la Hunt told Steelburger/Lydenburg News on Tuesday that despite some hiccups, the project is still ongoing.
The proposed mall will be built on the edge of town on the road to Badfontein at the Dullstroom turn-off.
“We have invested millions in the project thus far. We would not have identified Lydenburg as a town with this potential if we did not feel that it could be viable. We are definitely still busy with this project and, at this stage, it is going really well.”
The mall will have a surface of 26 000 square meters.
The hold-up experienced was with regard to national anchor stores. At the moment, we are confident in the stores and departments we have secured.”
Anchor stores are major retail stores used to drive feet to smaller retailers. These larger department stores or grocery stores are generally part of a retail chain and serve as the prominent business in a shopping mall or strip centre.
De la Hunt said that one needs at least
75 per cent tenants secured to commence with the mall. “Our services are all in place. Business will go on and we will be catering for everything and everyone. This includes children’s entertainment. We have extremely good restaurants who will form part of the mall.”
He said that this project will not go to waste. “We won’t let it happen. We will fight to the end to get this project completed.”
De la Hunt confirmed that if all goes well, completion of the building will, once all aspects are in place, take a mere 18 months.
“We are pushed for time at this moment. Residents need to, however, be aware that a project of this magnitude takes time, precise planning and negotiation.”
He said that they would never have invested such an extensive amount of money without completing the project. “It is a lot of money we have invested. We bought the land and serviced it. There is no way that we will back out. You can have a look at any mall being built. There will always be some hassles.”
De la Hunt said there is no doubt that Panorama Mall will become a landmark for the residents to be proud of, and will provide one-stop shopping in an environment that
is safe, open, and has ample parking. “We look forward to serving Lydenburg, with the support of the community.”
