UPDATE: Don’t judge the centre by its corner

NORTHCLIFF – Northcliff Corner Shopping Centre management shares the challenges and success the centre has experienced.

August 23, 2016

Neo Phashe 2 minutes read

Northcliff Corner Shopping centre is located on corners Beyers Naudé Drive and Milner Avenue.

Northcliff Corner Shopping Centre management responded to a recent negative comment made in a Facebook comment about the state of the centre.

In the post on the ‘I love Northcliff ‘ page made by Northcliff resident, Verne Elaisov, claimed that “Northcliff Corner Shopping Centre is dragging down our area. I’m sure many residents are sick of the litter, empty shops, drunks and all the problems the centre is bringing to our lovely area. What can be done?”

Manager of the centre, Costas Sardianos explained the challenges the centre faces as well as the success the centre achieved over the past few years. He added that constructive criticism is always welcomed.

“We have to work together with the community to get rid of the things we see as unsightly in our community.”

Sardianos said issues like vagrants and drunks along with loiterers are not a Northcliff Corner problem. “This is a community problem and we take every step possible to ensure the safety of our customers.”

He explained that only if someone becomes disorderly within the centre, they can put that person out.

He added that the centre closes all but one gate by 7pm every evening. The centre has also increased its security from four to a total of six security guards.

The centre was recently renovated. “The ten pin bowling venue was upgraded to a world standard venue.” Sardianos said that the Northcliff Bowls is equipped with the latest system in the southern hemisphere. “The centre also proudly hosted the Tenpin Bowling World Championship.”

One of the challenges faced by the centre is attracting customers. As Sardianos said Beyers Naude Drive where the centre is located is over traded. What they are investigating now are what he calls ‘destination shops’. These are shops that prompt the customers to make a special visit to the store for shopping even if the location is not very convenient for them.

“We are also working on some very lucrative tenants that we cannot mention at this stage to have here in our centre,” said Sardianos.

He added that vacant spaces within the centre can be attributed to the economic climate. “Shops close down in any shopping centre; the problem is not exclusive to Northcliff Corner.”

Sardianos said that he would like the community to know that they are grateful for their concerns and that the centre endeavours to work with the community to make Northcliff a much better place.