EDITOR – I was at the Davenport Centre on Sunday and noticed that the health shop there had closed down.
I was informed that the owner had no choice as the rental was going up to R20 000 a month. I was shocked as the space is no bigger than a medium sized bathroom. It is little wonder that most of the smaller shops have had to pull out.
Taking their place are venues selling fast food and cellphones. The centre has lost character and charm with the loss, there is no incentive to linger. It has become a featureless impersonal outlet for chain stores. I for one will shop elsewhere at a centre that still has the smaller shops, where your individual needs matter to the shopkeeper.
JY
Glenwood
Davenport Square centre manager, Arrif Shaik, responds:
It is not ideal when a tenant chooses to vacate, especially when they have enjoyed much success over the years of their tenancy. There are many factors that are taken into consideration prior to a tenant vacating for both parties. Davenport Square rentals are based on a national and regional Retail Property Databank and centre management strives for a tenant mix based on intensive market research through Broll extensive data base of tenants and clients.
Davenport Square aims to be the Berea’s favourite community centre by offering a convenient shopping experience that meets the needs of the community. We welcome feedback from our loyal shoppers on what types of tenants you would like at the centre that meets the neighbourhood convenience offering and we encourage emailing the property managers Siphumelele Khuzwayo at skhuzwayo@broll.com or ashaik@broll.com and we will endeavour to assist where possible.
