Target and newsagency set to close in the coming months

OCEAN Grove and Barwon Heads are set to suffer business closures over the next few months, with Target Ocean Grove and the Barwon Heads newsagency among the losses.

Target Ocean Grove has announced it will be closing on September 28.

“Target is working hard to ensure our Ocean Grove team members can join another Target team at a store convenient to them or across the wider Wesfarmers retail businesses,” a Target spokesperson said.

“Target wants to thank our Ocean Grove team, the local community and all of our customers for shopping with us and hope they will consider visiting us at our Geelong and Waurn Ponds stores or at target.com.au.”

Ocean Grove Business Association president Ty Simons said it was always a shame to see businesses closing locally, particularly one with a history in the region.

“Retail however is a tough business these days, with increased rents, wages costs and other over heads meaning that there is little left in the way of profits, if any, for many.

“The only hope is that any new retailer going into the complex is a better drawcard for the other retailers in the space as well.”

Target Ocean Grove’s announcement comes after news travelled across the Bellarine that Barwon Heads news agency was also facing closure.

Local John Virgona took to social media to highlight another shop closure in Barwon Heads.

“I noticed today large signs emblazoned across the windows of the Barwon Heads news agency announcing a 50 per cent off storewide sale due to its imminent closure,” Mr Virgona said.

“This is one of several stores that have closed in recent months.”

Mr Simons said the pending closure of the newsagency in Barwon Heads was very sad indeed. “I am sure that it is with a very heavy, heart that this decision has been made,” he said.

“The town will surely miss all that was offered there. “Unfortunately, with people increasingly using online services for information, Tattslotto and shopping, this has certainly put the pinch on many.”

Mr Simons said hospitality and a few others seemed to be one area that was bucking this trend, although margins were certainly still tight given the overheads.

“Do we want to be towns with shopping strips full of cafés, banks and real estate agencies only, though?” he said.

“Tourism is a vital part of our local economies and important to all that live in the region whether directly or indirectly, however it is the colder months where we all should consider spending some of our money in the businesses that we enjoy having in our towns.

“Online traders do not have the rent to pay nor the upkeep, wages and other overheads, but the clothes shop or homewares store where you can try on or touch a product is a service that it would be a shame to lose.”