Bay shoppers will have a new one-stop centre to hunt out bargains when a $20 million centre opens next year. Outlet Central, a 5400sq m, 29 store, enclosed, air-conditioned shopping centre will offer discounted brand-name goods at Papamoa Junction, opposite the planned $50 million Boardwalk shopping centre. Developers expect bargain hunters willbe able to get their hands on items by Easter. The main consultant on the project is Retail Consulting Group. Its director, Paul Keane, said Outlet Central would add to the cluster of retail and commercial centres planned at the intersection of Tara and Parton roads. Mr Keane said retailers Barkers, Hero and Dirty Dog were already committed to shifting in. Construction of the first phase, containing 29 shops, was expected to start in July. A second phase would open space for furniture and electrical appliance stores. "The development is not just a fashion centre but aimed at being a merchandise centre," Mr Keane said. The outlets would sell goods at discounts of between 30 per cent and 70 per cent. "It's quality merchandise - not junk." Mr Keane said it was hoped the rest of the available space would be booked within two months. The nearby Boardwalk centre will house major retail, supermarket and entertainment facilities. The first stage will be completed next year. Mr Keane hoped the area would become the "shopping hub" for the southern end of the coastal strip, luring people from Te Puke, Rotorua and Whakatane. When it's finished, the centre would be owned by MGL Properties. Directors Duane Lankshear and David Mortimer already had plans to extend the centre. Tauranga Chamber of Commerce chief executive Craig Garner said the new shopping centre could lure shoppers from Rotorua and Hamilton. Such retail outlets helped the tourism industry. "When new types of shopping venues come to the area it broadens the attractiveness of the region" An outlet centre is also included in the next phase of development at the Fraser Cove shopping centre in Tauranga.
