The
opening of the R4,7million shopping complex in Bellair road
is just the tip of the iceberg as far as economic development
in Cato Manor is concerned. About 172ha of land have been
earmarked for commercial, industrial and mixed use development.
Not
far from the shopping complex , at the corner of Bellair
and Wiggins Roads, is the informal market which has been
completed. It will open for business after the allocation
of stalls to Cato Manor residents by the Metro Informal
Trade Department.
In
addition to the shopping centre and the market, a container
park is being developed in Cato Crest along Trimbourne Road.
The first three containers are already in place. Amalgamated
Beverages, the Coke bottlers, has undertaken to operate
a distribution outlet in the container park.
To kickstart
the development of industrial parks, the Metro Council is
currently moving its dump site near the corner of Bellair
Road and Edwin Swales Drive to make way for the construction
of one of the three industrial parks that are due for construction.
Also
in the pipeline is the construction of an office centre
at the corner of Francois Road and Cato Manor Road. The
EU funded centre will provide 2 000 m2 of office accommodation.
True
to its promise the CMDA has ensured that 60% of the space
in the shopping centre has been allocated to local emerging
entrepreneurs. An estimated 120 permanent jobs will be created.
Trading
space in the Bellair Centre is still available. Local business
operators are encouraged to take advantage of the opportunity.
