Big W quits Sentinel's Broken Hill property

Big W has left Broken Hill following closure of its store in Westside Plaza, owned by the shopping centre Sentinel Property Group.

Its managing director Warren Ebert said Sentinel had offered numerous solutions to Big W but the retailer decided not to take up an option to extend its long standing lease. 

“We offered to reduce their rent, decrease their space and numerous other solutions but they just didn’t want to talk to us.

“Big W has gone and left the regional centre of Broken Hill in the lurch with its decision to close its store.”

Mr Ebert said Sentinel has received significant interest from other national retailers in taking over the space.

Westside Plaza is part of the Sentinel Countrywide Retail Trust, having cost $33.7 million in 2015.

Acting on behalf of Federation Centres, Steven Lerche, Rino Carpinelli and Peter Isaksson of Savills Retail Investment Sales sold the centre following a national expressions of interest campaign to Sentinel.

Westside Plaza in Broken Hill was Sentinel's second sub-regional shopping centre purchase.

It features a total lettable area of 17,400sqm. It had a 98% occupancy rate on acquisition dominated by national tenants including Woolworths, Big W, Dick Smith, Best & Less, Priceline, Prouds, NAB, McDonalds