Southlands food court revamp

by Rebecca Robbins

May 6, 2008

SOUTHLANDS Boulevarde Shopping Centre in Willetton has started spicing up its food court.

 The food emporium is closed for renovations that store owners hope will bring more variety and, with a bit of luck, customers to the centre.

Hoyts cinema shares the upper floor of the centre with the food court.  Kathleen Roberts, a Hoyts employee, said she’s looking forward to the new food court opening because it will save her a trip downstairs at lunchtime.

“Everyone here buys their food instead of bringing it from home, so we are lazy!” she said.  “Before, the food court had all the same kind of stuff, so it will be good to have more variety. 

“I heard they will be opening a salad and juice bar.”

Jarred Brett, a manager at Southlands Hoyts, said he was looking forward to the completion of the terrace in the hope it would attract more people to the freshly renovated cinema.

Southlands had the only cinema where movie goers could watch flicks from new, comfortable bean bags, Mr Brett proudly proclaimed. A fresh, new, food court would help to make Hoyts more attractive.

“It will be good for the area,” he said.  “It should increase sales and help to achieve an all round fresher feel.”

Frequent food court foodie, Clifford Rogers from Leeming, was glad the old food court was being refurbished, rather than removed.

“There’s not many food courts around the Willetton and Leeming area,” he said. “It’s good to have a local place open Sundays and late hours to eat and watch a movie while the shops are closed.

“The locality of the cinemas and eating area is quite convenient, so local people do not have to travel to busier areas, like Garden City.”

Mr Rogers was happy to hear some of the old food outlets would be staying at the new food court.

“There are a few of my favourite dishes at the old food court, so it would be a shame for them to go,” he said.

The new food court is scheduled to be completed by July. Southlands centre management and property managers Savills failed to get back to eMU news with further details.