Balmain Woolies downsizing to Metro raises flags with council

By ERIN MODARO

Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne has expressed his concerns over the downsizing of the Balmain Woolworths on Darling Street. Woolworths Balmain will be changing the layout of the store to become a Metro- a more convenience store style of supermarket, which generally has a limited or curated range of products.

Woolworths Metro Director Justin Nolan said in a statement that Woolies will be engaging with the local community to help “tailor the range of products available as plans are made to update the current 40 year old supermarket to a new neighbourhood Metro store”.

While online the Balmain store is already called a ‘Metro’, Byrne said the updates to the store will impact product range, meaning more shoppers are more likely to leave Balmain to do their shopping.

“Any further reduction in a product range at a Woolworths Metro will have a further negative impact on the local Balmain/Rozelle local economy and local businesses,” Byrne said via social media.

Commenters in a local Facebook group have also shown worry over a decrease in product ranges, and that they will have to travel away from Balmain to get a better selection of groceries.

“Bad move for Balmain” one resident said in a comment. “Seems management at Coles and Woolworths thinks everyone wants Ready-to-go meals, packaged food etc…” another said.

Byrne and Deputy Mayor Philippa Scott passed a motion at a council meeting last week resolving to convene a meeting between the Balmain Rozelle Chamber of Commerce and the supermarket chain to discuss changes to the store.

Council resolved to write to Woolies about the “detrimental impact on the local economy that would be engendered through any reduction in product range at Woolworths Balmain store”.

Study on spending habits in Inner West

In 2015 the Inner West Council conducted a study into the spending habits of locals.

“The study demonstrated that due to the limited product range at Woolworths Balmain a high percentage of local residents were leaving Balmain for their regular grocery shop,” Byrne said in a Facebook post.

Back in 2016 the Inner West Council released recommendations based on the study data, which said council should meet with Woolworths to “improve the retail offers on its Balmain site,” an IWC release says.

Now, Byrne said council is working to engage Woolworths to consult with the local community about changes to the store.

Nolan said while the updates to the Balmain Woolies store aren’t coming for some time, “any changes will be based on engagement with locals to hear feedback from the Balmain community on what they would like to see in-store and we’ll keep them updated on progress.”

“We know this will be a bit of a change for customers but the same friendly staff and great Woolworths value will still be there when the renovations are completed,” he said.

Woolworths Metro stores are aimed towards inner-city residents shopping for local produce and easy dinner options.  Metro stores and their stock are tailored towards the community they are based in.

“Detailed design and planning is underway and we will share our plans and timelines in the near future” Nolan said.

While no timeline for community consultation nor dates for the upgrades are available yet, residents can expect public consultation to be carried out in the future.