CHISIPITE SHOPPING CENTRE CLOSED FOR RENOVATIONS

Talent Gore

ONE of Harare’s prime suburban shopping centres, Chisipite Shopping Centre, which has terribly deteriorated over the years, was temporarily closed yesterday to make way for major renovations.

The renovations follow residents’ calls for the rehabilitation of most of the shopping centres across the city.

Tenants at Chisipite Shopping Centre recently advised their clients that they will be closing the complex until the first quarter of next year to pave way for the major refurbishment expected to give the complex a facelift.

Residents have listed Ballantyne Park Shops in Ballantyne Park, High Glen Shopping Mall along High Glen Road, Newlands Shopping Centre in Newlands, Kamfinsa Shopping Centre in Greendale, Greencroft Shopping Centre in Greencroft, Blue Lagoon Shopping Centre in Avondale West, Mabelreign Shopping Centre in Mabelreign, Civic Centre in Marlborough, Athlone Shopping Centre in Athlone, Mandara Shopping Centre in Mandara, Pendennis Shopping Centre in Mt Pleasant, Parktown Shopping Centre in Waterfalls and Helensvale Shopping Centre in Helensvale among those in need of reconstruction or major face-lifts.

One resident, Shalom Mudonhori, said:

“Marlborough Civic Centre used to be one of the best shopping centres in Harare’s suburbs but lack of maintenance and upgrades over the decades has left the place looking dreadful.

“We have witnessed new shopping malls being built and others being renovated but nothing of that sort has happened at Marlborough.

“I believe that the owners should get into some partnership with developers so that this shopping centre gets a facelift.”

She said she was shocked when she saw the upgraded shopping mall in Hillside along Chiremba Road.

“The Chiremba shopping mall was refurbished within a short space of time and now it’s beautiful,” she said.

“There are some residents who travel to Hillside for their shopping and it’s absurd that residents from across town have to travel all that way when they can just shop at their shopping centre.

“The owners of the place have failed to even pave the front of the complex.”