EXCLUSIVE: Malvern Park is officially opening on 31 May, here’s what to expect!
From security to parking and the official launch, Mowana Properties' Brand and Communications Head Iggy Sathekge let us in on everything to do with Malvern Park Shopping Centre.
Brand and Communications Head for Mowana Properties, Iggy Sathekge, gave us the low-down on the new shopping mall opening in the Queensburgh area - Malvern Park.
Mowana Properties is responsible for managing the mall property. Residents of Queensburgh have been waiting with bated breath for the official date of the shopping mall’s opening.
When is Malvern Park opening to the public?
Sathekge explained that the opening will occur on two levels:
Today, 26 April, will see members of the Government Employee Pension Fund (GEPF) attending a ribbon-cutting process.
“The government employee pension fund, who are the investors of a program like this, as well as the asset management entity under the PIC and various other stakeholders will be there,” he said.
Sathekge explained that the official opening date to the public is planned for 31 May.
Speaking about some of the stores that residents can visit, Sathekge named Dischem, Woolies Food, Foschini, Mr Price, MTN, Telkom, Burger King, KFC, and Ocean Basket.
“So it's a nice combination of different stores that are going to be there. So we're quite excited to have this,” he said.
Store opening dates
He noted that around two years ago, they conducted market research and spoke to residents of Malvern to find out what they would like to see in the new mall.
“We listened to that, we went back and then we brought a really impressive combination of different stores that are going to be there on the day.”
With regard to the staggered opening that many residents have had questions about, Sathekge explained that there are different tenants in the mall and some will be ready through the course of the month while others will only be ready toward the end of the month.
“What we're saying is that those that are ready to trade from the 1st of May, we are happy for them to proceed and they will be trading. But the centre will officially open [on 31 May] and when I say officially open, it’s when we will be doing all the activities on the day, the fun fairs and the promotions,” he said.
Visitors are welcome to walk the mall and get a feel of the centre as each store opens.
Safety and Parking Concerns
Sathekge also touched on the safety measures in place for visitors. He noted that there would be security at the venue and that various other technologies would be installed around the centre.
“So all those things will be taken care of and companies have been employed that will be ready to go,” he noted.
In terms of parking, Sathekge confirmed that parking will be free at Malvern Park. The aim is to create a pleasant and easy environment for people to access without having to worry about paying for parking.
Aside from the exciting opening set for 31 May, residents can also keep an eye out for a website. Currently, Malvern Park communications and updates are done through Facebook, but Sathekge explained that a website will soon be up and running with more information and easier communication.
“I've never seen such an engaged community like we have seen at Malvern. People are quite excited,” he said.
Follow us on social media:
HOW TO LISTEN TO EAST COAST RADIO
- Listen to East Coast Radio on the FM (frequency modulation) spectrum between 94 and 95 FM on your radio.
- Listen live to ECR by clicking here or download the ECR App (iOS/Android).
- Listen to East Coast Radio on the DStv audio bouquet, channel 836.
- Switch to the audio bouquet on your Openview decoder and browse to channel 606
- Listen to us on Amazon Alexa.
Image courtesy of Malvern Park on Facebook