OFFICEWORKS could leave Hargreaves Mall this year as the company considers other locations in the Bendigo CBD.
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In a statement, Officeworks confirmed it was reviewing its store in Bendigo.
“We continually review our store network to ensure we’re making shopping even easier for our customers and as part of this ongoing review, we are currently considering other locations in Bendigo,” the statement reads.
The Bendigo Advertiser understands one of the buildings being investigated is in Mollison Street.
One business owner at 113-133 Mollison Street said Officeworks had shown interest in the Serco offices within the complex and “rumours” of the move had been around for some months.
The building is also occupied by Food O’Clock, Premixed Drinks, Say Cheese Pizza and Virginia Mary Florist.
The Mollison Street office space was sold to a Melbourne investor for about $8 million in August last year.
It has a potential store front onto both Mollison and McLaren streets.
Officeworks is yet to sign a lease on the property, however.
Serco, which operates a call centre from the premises, is also yet to sign a lease on another office space in Bendigo.
The Officeworks building on Hargreaves Street sold for $4.25 million at auction in 2003. It is believed to be owned by an individual in Melbourne, with Officeworks as a tenant.
A number of businesses have left the mall in recent years, including Thomas Jewellers, which left 10 vacant shops on the strip.