K hub isn't coming to Cowra.
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The news was delivered to staff of the former Target store, which was earmarked to become a K hub, at a meeting today.
"We are extremely disappointed to confirm that the K hub in Cowra will no longer open as planned," a spokesperson for K Hub parent company Wesfarmers said.
Cowra mayor Bill West described the news as "bitterly disappointing".
"These things are beyond the remit of the council," he said before adding "the council will be doing all within its power, alongside the Cowra Business Chamber, to attract another retailer to the site".
"There are enormous opportunities in Cowra, this is not the last train leaving town, there are opportunities coming," he said.
The Cowra K Hub store was originally planned to open before Christmas but was delayed due to repairs to the building's interior.
"A building assessment unfortunately determined the Kmart construction we intended to do at the site would not be possible," Wesfarmers said.
"We want to thank the Cowra community and Cowra Council for all their support over the years whilst the store was a Target and more recently as we prepared to open a K hub.
"This is very difficult news as we were so looking forward to opening our doors in Cowra and hope that one day in the future we will."
Wesfarmers said their focus was now on supporting its Cowra team.
"Our focus is on supporting our Cowra team through this time as we work through finding suitable redeployment within other Wesfarmers businesses as well as with other employers in town.
"Any permanent team members who we are unable to secure suitable redeployment will have access to all their entitlements," Wesfarmers said.
Cr West said the news couldn't have come at a worse time in the lead up to Christmas.
"There was no inkling they weren't coming," Cr West said.
"We spoke to them a few weeks ago and they said they were investigating (problems with the site) and then they rang today and said 'sorry we're not coming'.
"It's really disappointing for the community and the staff.
"It's also disappointing after all of the work Council has done, particularly with the car park and the main street.
"These are decisions made by corporate entities with no concern for rural communities, taking profits over people.
"Someone hasn't been fully upfront with us," he said.
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