For anyone driving through Pambula recently it has been hard to miss the cranes and activity at the back of Mitre 10 where a huge slab has been poured and the skeleton of a 2000 square metre extension is taking shape.
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The new trade centre will provide a three-lane drive through for trade and retail customers, general manager of the Sapphire Coast Mitre 10 store, Chris Flint said.
Mitre 10 currently leases a building on the South Pambula industrial estate where it keeps stock but the new building will allow it to bring all stock into the one location.
Asked whether the moves by hardware store Bunnings to get a foothold in the area had played into their decision-making Mr Flint said the driver was consolidation.
"Ground was broken in May on the empty lot adjoining the existing hardware store as part of a long-term project to consolidate an offsite trade distribution centre within the main site," he said.
"It was a business decision about looking after the trade and changing the way we do business.
"The upgrade will see the development of a range of new amenities and services for local tradies and renovators," he added.
Mr Flint said that while they were in the early stages of the development, there were plans to "rip up the current yard, re-concrete it, re-rack and extend the shop" to flow into the new extension.
"The build was the first of a number of development projects planned by management, with additional upside to the retail layout and range expected at neighbouring stores owned by the group in Bega and Eden," Mr Flint said.
"We're eager to bring our unique shopping experience to more residents on the Sapphire Coast, offering high-quality home improvement products at low prices and rewarding career opportunities in the local community. We're a local business that is proudly reinvesting back into our local community," he said.
One of those beneficiaries is Pambula builder Rankin who have the job of not only building the extension but also doing the associated roadworks.
Mr Flint said that as part of the DA process with council there would be major upgrades to Merimbola Street. There would also be a left turn only at the end of the service road in the front of Mitre 10 where it meets Merimbola Street.
There will be additional car park spaces in front of the extension and a separate entrance and exit.
"We also had to put in a lot of cubic metres of fill to get the level (at the extension site) to above the inundation level of the land below it on Merimbola Street," Mr Flint added.
The extension is due to be finished in September and then it is expected to take a month or two to rack and stock. Mitre 10 is trading as usual throughout the construction.
