WOLLONGONG ADVERTISER
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The threat of a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week supermarket may have been averted, but Bulli retailers are still worried about the damage the new Woolworths store will do to their trade.
Wollongong City Council approved Woolworths plans for a $7 million, two-storey complex in Molloy Street, Bulli, in 2011 but the work stalled in January 2014 due to remediation works.
Woolworths had planned to run a 24-hour store and was looking for retail stores such as a chemist, news agency, bakery, butcher, fast food outlet, cafe and beauty salon.
Following inquiries from the Wollongong Advertiser, a Woolworths spokesman said the supermarket would operate 7am-10pm, seven days a week.
"Woolworths expects the $30 million Bulli retail development on Princes Highway to be complete in late November," the spokesman said.
"This site, which will create 270 construction and retail jobs, includes a modern Woolworths supermarket and features five specialty retailers including Bakers Delight, Gloria Jeans, a pharmacy, nail and beauty salon and a chicken takeaway."
Gary Mustafa, the owner of Bulli Fruit and Deli, which has won fresh produce retailer at the Illawarra South Coast Local Business Awards two years running, wants residents not to forget about local, independent retailers and keep supporting them.
He spoke to the Advertiser about Woolworths being open 24 hours and said he could not afford the penalty rates to open late at night and compete with the supermarket giant.
"My understanding is that they have approval for a 24-hour operation, that's what my concerns are," Mr Mustafa said.
"He [Woolworths spokesman] is saying they will be open till 10 and I accept that - it does change the situation slightly but the fact is they have the opportunity to open 24 hours and I guess at some stage they will.
"Even 10pm trading ... still puts us behind the eight-ball because we are not providing that service. No-one is going to be open at 10pm here. The fact is they [Woolies] will be open when everyone else is shut and we will suffer as a result of that."
Mr Mustafa said Bulli Fruit and Deli had been operating in the suburb for 40 years, employed 40 staff, including young people, and was open from 7am-7pm.
"When we've shut the door at 7pm, I've sat out the front and watched all the cars come down [from Sydney]. If Woolworths are open at 9 and 10 o'clock it's convenient. We'll lose those customers who would normally come the next day."
Mr Mustafa said he was speaking out about Woolworths was because nobody else was.
"Everyone's afraid and have waved the white flag. We need to get it across to the locals - don't forget us.
Bulli Meat and Seafood Fresh managing director Julie Scalco said they were concerned about Woolworths but there was competition everywhere and they couldn't stop the supermarket.
"It's keeping up with our great customer service, our fresh products and we won't be beaten," Ms Scalco said.
"We will fight through this."
One hundred and 30 houses were being built across from Bulli Meat and Seafood Fresh and they hoped to gain new customers.
"There are people who want meat from a butcher, want seafood from a seafood shop, want fruit from a fruit shop."
"Us owners are in these shops and you can't get anyone better to look after these shops."
Marie Atsas of Bulli Bunches florist, which is across the road from the Woolworths site, said her store's parking had been taken away due to new traffic lights being installed for the supermarket.
"I've had to make a car park at the back," she said.
"To do all the linework and painting on the road, they had to block all around my shop ... they've disrupted my business already for a period of two months. It's a nightmare."
Ms Atsas said her customers were supportive and she hoped people continued to shop at existing Bulli businesses.
"Otherwise there will only be a Woolies here and a service station."
Woolworths said it would continue to work closely with the Wollongong council and community to develop a prime retail development for local residents.