New mall set to open in Bulawayo
A new shopping mall — City of Kings Mall — with 51 units located at the former Edgars-Sales House outlet is expected to start operating in September amid reports that rental space is fast running out.
Early, this year, giant retail clothing firm, Edgars Stores Limited closed one of its prominent branches in Bulawayo, popularly known as “Edgars Tredgold” due to its proximity to the Tredgold Building citing the need to secure an alternative location that suits its brand expectation amid pressure from illegal forex dealers and vendors.
After undergoing renovations, the building has been partitioned into 51 outlets of various sizes.
Glass moveable walls not only bring convenience and flexibility to retailers, they also entice customers who have now become accustomed to glass partitioning as evidenced by how they frequent the shops each passing day.
Former Edgars Herbert Chitepo Street Partitioned
Business Chronicle understands that rentals at City of Kings Mall range from US$600 to US$1 600 per month depending on the position and size of the shop.
An official said last Friday that rental space is fast running out as a number of tenants have already taken up stalls.
The official who spoke on condition of anonymity said out of 51 stalls, 18 have already been taken ahead of the opening next month.
“The compartment prices are determined by size and position, for instance, a 12 square metre stall positioned at the window goes for US$1 200. The rental prices range from US$600 to US$1 600 depending on the position and size of the shop,” she said.
Most buildings in the central business districts of cities and towns are being converted into small cubicles, which are then leased out to interested occupants who cannot afford large spaces.
The model buttresses the growing trend of shopping malls whose sizes differ depending on the location.
Shoppers have now become accustomed to glass partitioning as evidenced by how they frequent the shops.
Former Edgars Herbert Chitepo Street Partitioned
While this development has helped create employment, it has come with its fair share of challenges. For instance, some of the new malls are attracting hordes of people, yet they are poorly ventilated and do not have proper ablution facilities.
In a recent interview, Bulawayo City Council economic development officer Mr Kholisani Moyo said the renovation and partitioning of properties in the city centre is creating more space for traders which will reduce the number of street vending.
He said the development would also see more businesses formalising after getting space to operate from.
“We have noticed that over the past months in the city, most of the property owners have been renovating their buildings and partitioning them into small compartments creating space for more traders,” said Mr Moyo. —chronicle
