The eagerly awaited R500-million Middelburg mall, in Mpumalanga, will open to shoppers on April 19.

In November, the developers announced that, owing to signifi-cant retailer demand, they had boosted the shopping centre’s initial size by 10 000 m2. South African retail centre developers and investors Flanagan & Gerard Property Development and Moolman Group are driving the development of the mall.

Despite the expanded scope and some recent storm damage, retailers are moving in, fitting out shops, training staff and getting ready to bring fresh, new high-quality shopping to Middelburg and its surrounds.

The development will feature a selection of South Africa’s most popular retailers in a quality, con- temporary setting. Even at its larger size, now occupying 43 000 m2, the mall is already 99% let. Its 94 shops are anchored by retail giants Checkers, Wool-worths, Edgars, Pick n Pay and Game, besides others.

The Middelburg mall will pro- vide the underserviced shoppers of the area with an easily acces-sible shopping experience. The large number of retailers that have invested in order to be closer to their shoppers proves its necessity, says Flanagan & Gerard’s Patrick Flanagan.

The mall has expansion potential and it could eventually exceed 55 000 m2.

Convenience will be offered, thanks to the mall’s variety of local banks, such as Absa, African Bank, Capitec Bank, First National Bank, Nedbank, Old Mutual and Standard Bank. Tenants also include restaurants.

“Middelburg mall is tenanted to provide comprehensive retail to the growing and ever more affluent community of Middel-burg and its surrounds. However, we are confident that, with all this, it also has sufficient critical mass to attract consumers from a wide trade area,” explains Moolman Group’s Jannie Moolman.

The mall’s location, off the busy N4 highway with access through both the Fontein street offramp and Tswelopele avenue, makes it easily accessible to all shoppers. With its great visibility, the shopping centre is already a landmark in the area.

“The mall is a retail asset that meets the needs of both con-sumers and retailers by bringing them together,” says Flanagan.