Tara Murray
Shoppers made the most of eased COVID-19 restrictions to return to their favourite shopping locations at the weekend.
Centres and shops across the municipality opened their doors, with plenty of sales and specials deals.
Watergardens shopping centre opened at 6pm on Friday and traded until midnight, along with extended hours across the rest of the weekend.
Watergardens centre manager Trish Gardiner said the centre was excited to welcome customers and retailers back following a difficult extended lockdown period.
“While we continue to adhere to our COVID safe practices, we are thrilled to be able to welcome back customers and a great number of our retailers who are able to reopen – the Watergardens community is certainly brimming with positivity,” Ms Gardiner said before the reopening.
“We know that this extended lockdown period has been a difficult time for both customers and retailers, and we are excited to welcome our community back to the centre when restrictions ease tomorrow.”
Retailers such as Kmart, Big W, Rebel, Salt & Pepper, YD, Mecca Maxima and Strandbags were among those with reopening specials.
There were also some retailers opening for the first time. Toymate was among the new shops in the Watergardens precinct.
Toymate chief executive Danny Bloom said before the opening that the store would be a new experience for kids and parents.
“They can look and feel and interact with the toys,” he said.
“It will make for a fun shopping experience.”
