Perth Voice Interactive

SPUDSHED is set to sign on the dotted line and move into Coventry Village in Morley.

The planned store will be 3519sqm and involve the relocation of existing shops and a children’s playground.

Ye Olde Lolly Shoppe owner Jim Boyd say he is happy to relocate if it draw mores people into the village.

“We need a big drawcard and Spudshed would provide this,” he says.

“The only thing missing in the Coventry Village equation is foot traffic—a big name will provide that.

“Farmer Jacks attracts a lot of Asian customers but they don’t buy many lollies: they tend to get their daily veg and leave the centre straight away.”

Village manager Jay Strzelecki says most tenants are happy to move.

“Some of them might be looking for an incentive to move and there will be negotiations on that front,” he says.

“But I think they all appreciate that if this goes ahead, it will be great for the village and attract a lot of extra custom.”

Mr Strzelecki adds he does not believe the addition of Spudshed will eat into the profits of existing fruit and veg store Farmer Jacks.

“I would say that 60 per cent of their trade is in Asian vegetables, like bok choy,” he says.

“So I think the stores will complement each other.

“It is pretty standard for most shopping centres to have two supermarkets.”

by STEPHEN POLLOCK