Premier Barry O'Farrell and Granville MP Tony Issa visited Greenvalley Spices as part of the launch celebrations at the new Stockland Merrylands. Picture: Carlos Furtado
ANYONE would think there was a toilet paper shortage if you saw the number of people pushing trolleys of the stuff out of Stockland Merrylands today.
But no, it was on sale at the newly opened Woolworths store — one of 60 new retailers to be officially declared open by Premier Barry O’Farrell during a ribbon cutting ceremony this morning.
Stockland managing director Matthew Quinn said, “I’ve never been to a centre opening where Woolworths had to close its doors for safety reasons".
“In the centre itself, there were 10,000 shoppers by 10 o’clock,” he said.
Woolworths area manager Karl Wilmore said they had to close their doors for an hour from 9.30am when the number of customers inside the store reached 1000, bringing it to capacity.
‘‘This has been an exceptional response, but we did plan for this,’’ Mr Wilmore said.
Holroyd’s new mayor, Councillor Ross Grove, who attended the launch dressed in his mayoral regalia, said: “This is a fantastic kick-start to the Merrylands economy.’’
Mouny Batach of Guildford West was among the customers who we found lined up at Woolworths for toilet paper – that and school stationery, and olive oil.
She normally shops in Woolworths Fairfield, and said this was much closer.
“I’m here to see what specials there are,” Sam Boules of Greystanes said.
“Standing on a queue [outside the store’s doors] isn’t good though. It’s been an hour already.”
Retail trade has been extended until 9pm tonight at Stockland Merrylands.
Entertainment included a celebrity kitchen, competitions, giveaways, character appearances, a gift with purchase, and customer rewards.
Timomatic (aka Tim Omaji) from So You Think You Can Dance? and Australia’s Got Talent will perform at 7pm.