DOES IMBIL NEED TWO SUPERMARKETS?

opposite.

“It has always been the plan to expand the Friendly Grocer, over the years we have met with council regarding a future development,” Lee wrote.

“We had also applied for the IGA licence prior to the development at 99 Yabba Road being approved.”

Lee said the Friendly Grocer could not survive with another large supermarket opposite.

“Imbil is definitely not able to sustain two supermarkets.”

Allan was not concerned about whether or not the town could support two supermarkets.

“We’re just builders. We were approached by someone who asked if we could build a supermarket on that site and we went back and looked at it and that’s what we’re doing. We’re in the business of building, not supermarkets.”

Allan said no contract had yet been signed with any supermarket operator and the building and infrastructure had been designed with the flexibility for the building to be broken into smaller shops if required.

Although it would seem logical for the Friendly Grocer to move into the new supermarket building, Lee said this was not on the cards, saying the developer had other retailers moving in and it was unclear what sort of supermarket would be running there.

“We have not attempted to contact the developer about this, they already have a deal with someone else,” Lee wrote.

Lee also refuted a rumour that consideration had been given to selling the Friendly Grocer site following a development approval.

“We in no way intend to seek a development application and then sell the site. That is an untrue rumour and is hard to believe who would make that up!” Lee wrote.

“We are in the grocery business, we happen to really love the town of Imbil and are looking forward to serving the town for many years to come.”

Much of the bickering within the community over the supermarkets has taken place on social media.

The Mary Valley Voice spoke to one affected resident who did not wish to be quoted but said a Save Imbil’s Heritage group had been formed which represented her views.

The introduction on the group’s Facebook page says, “Stop the demolition/removal of Imbil's general store and bank house to be replaced with supermarket.”

The Save Imbil’s Heritage Group nominates Rick's Garage in Palmwoods as one of numerous examples of how a town's buildings can be repurposed to create a vibrant business without

This article is presented for community information. The Mary Valley Voice prides itself on reporting relevant issues in a balanced manner.

The Imbil Friendly Grocer have been a regular advertiser in the Mary Valley Voice for over 20 years.

We express gratitude for their support of our not-for-profit community news magazine and wish them all the best. We hope the outcome of this debate benefits all of the Imbil community in a fair way.

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