A new Countdown supermarket has been approved for Pōkeno town centre, following changes agreed with local retailer Pōkeno Bacon to ensure public car parks remain available during the majority of construction.
The new Countdown development is targeted to open in November 2020 and will include a landscaped public plaza on Great South Road with seating and a large canopy for shelter. The supermarket itself will be a full-service, modern store in line with Countdown’s new store design around the country, with a large 146 space car park for customers. It’s expected the new store will create around 80 local jobs.
Countdown’s General Manager Property, Jason Stockill, says they are thrilled to be granted consent for the new Pōkeno supermarket. “We’ve had plans to bring a supermarket to Pōkeno for many years, but rightfully the council and community asked us to consider a bigger, full-service store given the increased population and demand for the lifestyle that Pōkeno offers. We’re delighted to be welcomed to Pōkeno with such great support from the local community, and are looking forward to getting underway with construction.”
Pōkeno Bacon owner Helen Clotworthy says, “I was concerned to try and ensure that while the supermarket is welcomed, its construction has the lowest possible impact on Pōkeno Village and the wider community. We are pleased to have been able to work constructively with Countdown, to develop revised conditions that better manage the existing carparks, and control the potential impacts of contractor longer stay parking. The final result is a great outcome for the local shops, their customers, and Countdown.”
Earthworks are expected to begin before Christmas, with a targeted opening in November 2020.