End of an Era: Woolworths to close in Neutral Bay as Coles takes over.

By ANNA USHER

Lower north shore residents will say goodbye to Woolworths in Neutral Bay on February 4, as the Grosvenor Street store closes its doors for the final time.

The supermarket giant is making way for rival Coles, which has announced plans to rebrand and refresh the store while working on longer-term redevelopment plans with North Sydney Council.

Coles has confirmed that a temporary supermarket will open at the site in approximately eight weeks, ensuring continuity of service for local shoppers. Parking at the location will remain available throughout the transition.

A spokesperson for Coles said the rebranded supermarket would allow the company to meet the needs of the Neutral Bay community while collaborating with Council on a broader vision for the area.

“This rebranded Coles supermarket will allow us to continue serving the local community, while we work with North Sydney Council on our broader vision for Neutral Bay,” the spokesperson told Mosman Collective.

“This vision includes residential dwellings above the new Coles supermarket, complementing the Council’s plans for a revitalised town centre, with public underground parking and a community plaza.”

The 4,282-square-meter Grosvenor Street site was acquired by Coles in 2013 for $40 million, in what was considered one of the boldest real estate moves in Australian retail history. The purchase allowed Coles to secure a strategic foothold in Neutral Bay, displacing Woolworths from one of its top-performing locations.

When the rebranded supermarket opens in April, Coles has announced a range of new features, including:

• An open-front bakery, fresh seafood on ice, and a wide selection of deli items, fruit, vegetables, and meat.
• Grab-and-go meals and ready-made options catering to busy families.
• An in-store sushi counter serving fresh sushi and hot meals.
• An adjoining Liquorland offering a variety of beer, wine, and spirits, including local products.
• A partnership with food rescue charity SecondBite to donate unsold food to those facing food insecurity.

Explainer: Long-Term Redevelopment Plans

Coles submitted its original redevelopment proposal for the Grosvenor Street site in September 2023, outlining plans for a mixed-use development with six residential levels, public underground parking, and a community plaza.

Supported by local precinct committees at first, the proposal then faced opposition from an independent planner last year due to its height. In response, Coles has submitted a revised plan that reduces the height to three residential levels while maintaining the key elements of the redevelopment.

The Coles proposal has also been the subject of resistance by Arkadia, the property owner of retail outlets on the south side of the site, who have expressed concerns about loss of vehicle access shopfronts and a lack of contestability over plans to develop the lane’s council carpark into a plaza. Arkadia has proposed its own alternate plan.

Mosman Collective will keep the community updated with latest developments.