Susanna Freymark
Publican Daniel Simpson has plans for the shop next to his pub Rod n Reel on River Street, Woodburn.
The takeaway shop has been closed since the 2022 floods.
“We’ve purchased the land and we’d like to see a convenience shop or supermarket there,” Mr Simpson said.
The land has been cleared and the building has been stripped, Mr Simpson said.
The shop is about 220 sqm.
“It’s bigger than the old IGA and there’s lots of parking at the back,” he said.
One thing Mr Simpson is adamant about is that the town needs a supermarket.
Since the floods, there hasn’t been a supermarket in Woodburn. The petrol station has reopened and has a shop with basic items.
The former IGA owned by the Hundys was going to be reopened but has been demolished and the land remains vacant.
Woodburn getting a supermarket will be welcomed.
“The town needs a supermarket back,” he said.
“We’re in the fortunate position to take the commercial opportunity, it’s a win for everyone.”
Mr Simpson isn’t going to run a supermarket, he is looking for a suitable tenant to lease the shop.
The plan is to find a tenant and then Mr Simpson said they’ll design the supermarket around what the tenant needs.
“We’re open to possibilities,” he said.
Mr Simpson has had preliminary discussions with the council.
It’s a process, he said.
Once he has a tenant, then they’ll create a design and lodge a development application.
“It’s 12 months away,” he said.
It can’t come soon enough for Woodburn.
“The overwhelming support would be there because the community wants this,” Mr Simpson said.
The shop is listed with McGrath Ballina.