THIRTY new jobs will be created when Wodonga’s new Coles supermarket opens next month.
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The grocery in the soon-to-be-completed $65 million Mann Central shopping centre is five weeks away from trading commencing.
Coles regional manager Stuart Porter said the supermarket would employ more workers than the High Street store it will replace.
“We are excited to welcome more than 30 new team members to our brand new market-style Wodonga supermarket which will open on Wednesday, 11 October,” Mr Porter said.
“The new store will employ around 110 team members, including team members who will be transferring from the existing Wodonga store and other Coles stores in the area.”
Mr Porter said the Coles system for collecting groceries ordered online would also be introduced in Wodonga after having operated in Albury.
“Coles will also be launching Click&Collect at the store, which will offer locals more convenience and an option to save time on their Coles online shopping by collecting their groceries at the designated Click&Collect car parks,” he said.
“New store features will include an in‐store bakery with flatbread made daily, a continental delicatessen, ‘scoop‐and‐weigh’ station and an extensive fresh produce area with fruit and vegetables displayed on ice.”
Fellow Wesfarmers-owned business Kmart will also open its Mann Central store on the same day as Coles.
It will be the first Kmart store in Wodonga, Albury’s Kmart began trading in 1985.
The High Street Coles will close on Tuesday October 10, with Mann’s centre shop open from 9am the next day.
Coles has not stated what will happen with the High Street site it has occupied since 1973.
That supermarket last underwent an upgrade in 1999 when $4 million was spent on improvements that included an in-store bakery, island delicatessen and cappuccino cafe.
Liquor store Dan Murphy’s has stated it will not be opening in Wodonga.
“Dan Murphy's doesn't have any immediate plans for Wodonga, but is always reviewing opportunities,” a spokeswoman said.
Meanwhile, Wodonga Plaza’s new owner M/Group is investing in new signage for the Elgin Boulevard shopping complex. Centre manager Cherie Daly said the site’s name would not alter but fresh logos should be on display by the end of October.
The plaza was known as Centro Wodonga for some years before November 2013.