“The expansion of Lakeside Mall is in response to shopper demand,” says Lakeside Mall Centre Manager, Nicholas Oliphant. “The addition of the brand new Boardmans and Mr Price Sports will add to the vibrant tenant mix and enhance the overall shopping variety and experience,” says Oliphant.

Oliphant explains that the decision to invest in this extension follows Lakeside Mall’s successful trading and continued growth in both turnover and the number of shoppers who shop at this landmark regional shopping mall.

The next additions bring the total size of the mall to 61,000m2 which now includes 125 shops, banks and restaurants.

Earmarked to trade from October 2008, the two new additions necessitated some shop shuffling and customers can expect enhanced convenience and comprehensive mall magic from as early as next month.

A substantially extended and upgraded Truworths, Barcelos, Chicken Licken’, Sweets from Heaven, ABSA ATMs and Telkom Direct all form part of the revamped retail offering underway at the superbly located Lakeside Mall, which is situated directly off the Tom Jones off-ramp to Benoni and boasts excellent visibility from the N12 highway.

Boardmans will open on the upper level behind centre court while Mr Price Sports will open on the lower level.  Both will be a 1,300m2 in size and are due to open in October 2008.

Setting the trend in fashion retailing, Truworths will expand its Lakeside Mall shop by 240m2, bringing it  to a total of 1,447m2 which, together with a sensational store revamp, will offer shoppers a whole new look and feel by the end of March.

To accommodate the new and larger shops, Lakeside Mall’s Entrance 1 and 2, both on the lower level, have been moved forward and should be operational by the end of March. Most of the actual construction is taking place at these two entrances with the new space set to include Barcelos, Sweets From Heaven, Chicken’ Licken, and ABSA, creating vibrant and convenient point of entry to the mall.

Barchelos and Chicken Licken’ will occupy their new shops of 140m2 at Entrance 1 and 130m2 at Entrance 2 respectively. Both should be ready for trade in early March.

Sweets From Heaven should be sweetening Lakeside Mall’s pot of surprises in April and will now be located at Entrance 1. ABSA is expected to make three new ATM’s available at Entrance 2.

Telkom Direct will relocate to  a 172m2 store next to Musica on the lower level and close to Mr Price Sports, and is also expected be ready for action from April.

“Since Lakeside Mall opened in 1999, we have been motivated to create a vibrant atmosphere of lively shopping that meets the social and shopping needs of our community,” explains Oliphant. It is our sincere belief that the current developments will add to the unbeatable allure of Lakeside Mall and enhance the exciting variety we offer our shoppers.”

Lakeside Mall is owned by Growthpoint Properties and Changing Tides. “This is the first in a number of expansion opportunities being considered at Lakeside Mall,” concluded Oliphant.