Malls don’t work for our type of business
- Peter Trioli
Hobart-based gourmet delicatessen Wursthaus Kitchen will be shutting its Launceston business permanently after December 24.
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Wursthaus owner Peter Trioli said the closure of the business in Launceston was due to a number of reasons, including the expiry of the lease and the low level of traffic in the Quadrant Mall.
“The Quadrant Mall is not very viable,” Mr Trioli said.
“Malls don’t work for our type of business.”
Mr Trioli mentioned that if a road had been built through the Quadrant Mall during the redevelopments, businesses would have thrived.
He also highlighted the number of accessible food locations on the street, and for people having to park and walk to get to the mall is inconvenient.
Cityprom chief executive Steve Henty said it was disappointing to see a long established business go, however, it’s the nature of the business.
“It’s the nature of retail, stores will come and go,” Mr Henty said.
“The Quadrant is certainly a space that we’d [Cityprom] like to see be established as a bigger food precinct. We think it’s a great space.”
Mr Henty said that foot traffic was important for businesses in the Quadrant, as well an inner city living which is a focus for Cityprom in the future.
“That [inner city living] certainly paves the way for that type of delicacy, butchers and greengrocers, we don’t have a lot of those in the city at this stage,” he said.
“With a number of retail developments happening in the city at the moment, and second floor living being developed for retail as well, and the potential from the university moving closer to the CBD is certainly exciting.”
Mr Trioli said it was a shame the Launceston Wursthaus had to close, however, a mix of location and the Launceston economy were key factors.
“I haven’t got the confidence to keep it open,” he said.
“The difference in general economy between Hobart and Launceston is enormous. It’s not worth mucking around with a spot that isn’t producing.”
Wursthaus Launceston would like to thank customers for their patronage, and their products will still be available at the Hill Street Grocers at Longford, Latrobe and Devonport, as well as their Hobart business.
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