PERTH’S premier high-end retail and cafe strip, King Street, will soon have a new tenant on its corner – but it is unlikely to be another international luxury brand, boutique retailer or even trendy eatery.
Perth City Council has approved a change of use for the former Varga Girl premises, at the corner of King and Murray streets, and part of heritage-listed Bushell House, to allow a convenience store.
Property owners and businesses in King Street voiced staunch opposition to the move, saying a convenience store was not an appropriate use in a high-end retail and business area.
Their submissions to the council also said a convenience store would detract from the street’s prestige, resulting in more rubbish, and was unnecessary as the area was sufficiently serviced by others nearby.
The applicant, Sam Ozrain, owns Downtown Convenience stores in Leederville and Perth (pictured above right) and hopes to open in Bushell House by April. However, he is yet to sign a lease as he continues to negotiate with the council over a more suitable business name.
It is understood that at least six other lease applications have since been submitted.
Bally Store manager Angelica Longo was concerned that a convenience store would attract the wrong people to King Street, which would be detrimental to its image.
“This is a luxury brand street … that people specifically come to. There is really no need to have a convenience store on this block as there is City Provisions around the corner,” she said.
Ms Longo was also concerned about how neon lights and signage would blend in with existing retailers’ shopfronts.
However, Perth Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi likened King Street to other prestigious shopping strips around the world such as Rodeo Drive in Los Angeles and Champs Elysee in Paris, saying “convenience stores can be found in most modern cities and add to the shopping mix”.
Mr Ozrain claimed he would open a more sophisticated shop than his existing stores, featuring an upmarket fit-out based on models in Dubai and Italy, and organic products for sale.
“It is my hope that the higher standard of the convenience store will deter less desirable people coming in and will not create anti-social behaviour,” he said.
City of Perth chief executive Frank Edwards said the proposal had been referred to the Heritage Council of WA which agreed to support it, with conditions that only limited work occur to the interior and exterior of the building and that the style and extent of signage was in line with the surrounding area.