CBC, CSC & MP Push For K-Hub

IMAGE: K-Hub will no longer be reopening in Cowra.

The Cowra Business Chamber and Cowra Shire Council will be advocating for K-Hub to reconsider closing in Cowra, after K-Mart officially announced last Thursday that Cowra’s new K-Hub store will not be reopening.

Cowra Business Chamber Secretary Grace Williams said the Chamber would start working with all key stakeholders, including Council, K-Mart and the landlord of its building, to ensure K-Mart sees the value in remaining in Cowra.

“Since Target closed there has been a big hole in the local retail landscape, and it has had an effect on the community, especially for purchasing some key products not available in town. As a result we’ve seen shoppers shop out of town,” she said.

“The Business Chamber will be advocating for K-Hub to reconsider its decision and will do its best to convince them that Cowra is worth staying open for.”

“We have some amazing retailers in town and a major chain would further enhance our shopping experience.”

Cowra Mayor Bill West said the announcement was extremely disappointing, and that Council would work with the CBC to work on filling the gap left by K-Hub.

“Council will continue to work with the Business Chamber and the landlord of the former Target building to work on getting a new tenant. Council and the Business Chamber need to be at the forefront of this,” he said. Member For Cootamundra Steph Cooke said she would also support Council and the CBC in their fight to keep K-Hub.

“I have written to the corporate affairs manager of Kmart, requesting this decision be revisited by Wesfarmers, in the best interests of their local staff and the Cowra community more broadly,” she said.

Kmart’s announcement came after the former Target store closed in August to transition to a K-Hub store.

A K-Mart spokesperson said a full assessment of the site it leases had now been finalised, and it had been determined the building was not suitable to open K-Hub in.

“We are extremely disappointed to confirm that the K hub in Cowra will no longer open as planned,” the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson also confirmed that staff at the former store would be supported.