Large retailers and businesses are being forced to close at Pacific Werribee due to “building rectification” works.
Myer has confirmed its last day of trade will be February 14, and does not expect to open until the end of November later this year.
“These rectification works, which are required by the landlord, will require Myer Werribee to be temporarily closed for a period of time this year,” a spokesperson for the retailer said.
“We will work closely with the landlord for these works to be completed as quickly as possible.”
A question from Geelong Broadcasters asking if the business will be compensated for the shut down was not addressed, and there’s been no response to several requests for comment from Werribee Plaza’s centre management.
The Plaza Tavern has also confirmed it’s “temporarily closing…for a few months from January 28th” as a result of the works.
Pacific Werribee has been posting monthly project updates on its website since January 2023, where it was stated that the “need for these works was identified as part of regular investigations undertaken throughout the Centre.”
“As soon as these issues were identified, we took immediate action to address them,” the website states.
Defects are believed to have been located in areas of the centre between Target and Myer, including the adjacent multi-deck car park.
“Alongside the precautionary installation of temporary measures such as exclusion zones, props and cantilever beams, we have also worked with third-party specialist consultants and engineers to determine a program of works that will permanently reinforce these sections of the structure.”
Myer opened in its purpose built site at the Hoppers Crossing shopping complex in 2017, after the site underwent a $370 million development, but since then several other big retailers and tenants in the shopping centre have been forced to close while building works are carried out.
These include Target, a medical clinic and library, with the former closing for eight months last year.
For non-permanent Myer employees it could signal the end of their employment with the retailer saying it’s offering redeployment opportunities “where possible to nearby stores” to permanent team members.
A spokesperson for the business says others employees will be “invited to work again at Myer Werribee once the store reopens.”
“Myer has a proud history of serving the local community and will continue to do so through our nearby stores at Geelong, Highpoint and Melbourne City, as well as our online store, while these works are undertaken,” the spokesperson said.
