THE Canberra Centre is going through its biggest changes in years with a great many stores turfed out of the wing bordering Petrie Plaza, that entrance boarded up, and what looks like a serious rebuild underway.

While there has been an enormous amount of speculation as to what new tenant could have prompted this activity (pretty much everything short of an Ikea has been guessed at by someone at some time) there’s been little official word.

“CityNews” asked the Canberra Centre media team what was going on and received a vague reply.

Centre Manager of Canberra Centre, Amanda Paradiso, said hoardings had been erected in the retail mall between Petrie Plaza and Ainslie Avenue in preparation for a planned refurbishment of the precinct.

“We are committed to ensuring Canberra Centre continues to keep pace with market trends and meet the needs of customers, providing an exceptional retail, dining and entertainment offer,” Amanda said.

“One of our key priorities is to minimise the impact of the planned future works on our customers, retailers and neighbours.

“Canberra Centre remains open for business, with access to the Centre and all tenants still being maintained from all other entrances.

“At this stage, it is too early to determine the specific retail mix, with many stages to complete before the full scope of retailers can be confirmed.

“As part of the planned refurbishment works, some retailers have been relocated to other areas of the Centre, including Mazzucchelli’s, OPSM, Pepes Paperie, Andrew Watkins Optometrist, Mister Minit, Civic Nails, Nine West, RM Williams and Just Cuts, which will reopen in City Walk later this month.”