Panthera Hospitality Group is due to begin internal renovations in April, paving the way for its RiverEats dining concept involving an initial six food options and an all new indoor and outdoor eating area for the centre that has in the past been described as ‘dated’ and ‘in need of a major overhaul’.

“Panthera Hospitality Group has thought long and hard about how we can better serve the community of Raymond Terrace, which was crying out for the introduction of much-needed new dining options,” Panthera Hospitality Group general manager Brett Hannah said. 

“There will literally be something for everyone.” 

Panthera announced its intention to expand the centre’s food and retail offerings, events and experiences after purchasing the Raymond Terrace shopping centre for $33.5 million in June 2017, the same year it also bought Maitland Riverside Plaza.

While Panthera has not placed a figure on the cost of its planned renovations, a development application submitted to Port Stephens Council in October 2018 for “internal alterations” to the Sturgeon and Glenelg Street centre estimated the worth as more than $860,000.

As part of its renovation plans, a new bathroom will be installed in a new location within the centre, the flooring and lighting upgraded and lounge areas added.

This is in addition to the installation of an indoor dining precinct to house the RiverEats food options, which are Panthera’s own creations, and an al fresco dining area. 

Panthera’s plan is to establish the al fresco dining area and adjoining children’s play equipment on an unused parcel of land outside the centre, closest to the newsagency entry.

The exterior of the shopping centre is also set to receive an upgrade.

The current internal shopfront configuration, which includes a chicane opposite Fibonacci Coffee, will also be straightened to better improve foot-traffic throughout the centre.

“The team at Fibonacci have also agreed to move to a temporary location while we help them fit out their brand new cafe,” Mr Hannah said. 

Mr Hannah said Panthera was finalising plans for the design, working with builders and seeking final council approvals but was confident that the work would be completed and RiverEats up and running by mid-2019.

Shoppers can expect six food “concepts” at RiverEats – a rotisserie chicken offering called Proud Rooster, burger concept Bergy’s Buns, New York-inspired Slice It Pizza bar, toasted sandwich concept Melts N More, catches from the ocean in Hunter Seafood Shack and Mexican Street Eats. 

Panthera has already established a Proud Rooster in Maitland.

The food concepts will be serviced by a bank of point-of-sale stations, where customers will be able to place their orders that will then be filled by a central commercial kitchen overseen by an executive chef. 

“We believe this central commercial kitchen is the first concept of its kind in an Australian shopping centre,” Mr Hannah said. 

“The concept is designed to better improve customer service and reduce wait times during peak periods. 

“We expect to employ about 60 people at the centre across seven days of operation.”

The changes have not come without contention, with several Terrace Central-based businesses closing their doors in 2018.

Page One boutique, owned and operated by Tracey Page-Pepper inside Terrace Central for 25 years, closed in August 2018.

Suzanne Grae and Black Pepper vacated from the centre in January 2019.

Capital Chemist will be relocating to a new store in William Street, Raymond Terrace in mid-February.

Centre Manager Vivian Zakaria previously told the Examiner that while centre management “admired those who have decided to stay on our journey” it also respected those who “have been offered every opportunity but have decided not to renew their lease”.

“When Panthera took over, Terrace Central was dated and in need of a major overhaul and plans are progressing with a new-look centre,” she said.

“Any existing vacancies will be occupied by an exciting new array of tenancies better suited to the Raymond Terrace shopper of today.”

Negotiations with remaining tenants are ongoing, Mr Hannah said.

He confirmed that Woolworths will continue as a tenant.