A Gillieston Heights woman who recently bought a $14,000 car says she is worried about repaying the debt after discovering she would lose her job because of the Stockland Green Hills expansion.
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Gloria Jeans is one of 18 retailers set to close in the coming weeks, before the next stage of the $372 million shopping centre revamp begins on September 1.
Barista Keira Prescott, a casual employee who regularly works full-time hours at the Green Hills cafe, said she found out about the closure on the weekend.
She said she was “shocked, scared, worried” after receiving the news – particularly because she got a loan about a month ago and bought a car worth $14,000.
Ms Prescott, 22, said she previously believed the cafe would move premises – not close down.
“Things could've been organised months ago but have been left to the last minute and left us unemployed,” she said.
“If I don't pay my car, then that gets taken away then I'm left with bad debt for the rest of my life.”
Ms Prescott said her next move would be to “apply, apply and apply anywhere and everywhere”.
“Trying to stay positive is hard but I don't have a choice,” she said.
Westpac Bank, Michael Hill, NIB, Dotti and Commonwealth Bank will move to new premises at the Green Hills shopping centre in the coming weeks.
Gloria Jeans, Greater Bank, Newcastle Permanent, Ozmosis, Cotton On Body, Noni B, Factorie, Kodak Express, McDonalds, EET Carvery, Wok N Roll, Sushi World, Funky Designs, Lorna Jane, y.d., Jay Jays, Cotton On, Subway, The Athlete’s Foot will close.
There will also be changes to car park entry locations while the work takes place.
Stockland confirmed on Monday that the project was progressing on schedule.
Green Hills centre manager Chris Travers said construction had been planned with a focus on minimising disruptions, but store relocation and closures were unavoidable.
“We are continuing to work closely with retailers as we move through the stages of this major redevelopment, and we are holding regular meetings and information sessions,” he said.
“Our focus is to ensure we keep retailers and customers informed well ahead of the changes. We are also supporting our retailers wherever possible by relocating some retailers within the centre.”
Nick Bielby
Nick Bielby is a crime reporter who has worked as a journalist since 2011. Having joined the Newcastle Herald in 2017, he won a Walkley Award in 2019 with Donna Page for their investigation 'Dirty Deeds', which exposed the decades of illegal dumping of toxic material in and around a Hunter waterway.
Nick Bielby is a crime reporter who has worked as a journalist since 2011. Having joined the Newcastle Herald in 2017, he won a Walkley Award in 2019 with Donna Page for their investigation 'Dirty Deeds', which exposed the decades of illegal dumping of toxic material in and around a Hunter waterway.
