The former Bunnings Te Awamutu store
A major retailer which shut up shop in Waipā last week is remaining tight-lipped on what will occupy the two sizeable retail spaces left vacant by its departure.
The collective jobs of more than 50 staff at Bunnings Warehouse’s Cambridge and Te Awamutu stores officially ended last week after a month spent cleaning up the sites in preparation for the Australian-owned chain’s exit from the district.
The doors of the two stores closed to the public in June.
The company owns the buildings at its former Lake St Cambridge and Arawata St Te Awamutu sites, but not the land.
The stores employed 25 and 27 staff respectively.
A spokesperson approached by the News confirmed there were “no updates” on the future of the sites, or what might happen to the buildings.
“Our previous statement is still relevant,” they said.
That previous statement was by Bunnings’ New Zealand director Jacqui Coombes.
“We continue to review options for both of these sites and we’re working closely with the land owners throughout this process,” she told the News.
But, while the company might not be being drawn on what’s next for the sites, that hasn’t stopped conjecture in the two towns about businesses or firms which might move in.
Rumours The Warehouse in Cambridge was looking to shift to the site were quelled by the company.
Meanwhile, The Warehouse has in already signalled it wants to close Te Awamutu’s Warehouse Stationary outlet. It began a consultation process in June which threatens the Noel Leeming Henderson Clearance Centre and Tokoroa store, The Warehouse Whangaparāoa, Johnsonville and Dunedin central stores and Warehouse Stationery Te Awamutu.
It is understood the company is seeking to close the Te Awamutu stationery outlet in October.
