Bridge Mall Traders president David Maloney said the exit of the two Cotton On Group tenants came as a blow but that the group was already working to get the stores filled. 

Mr Maloney said the exit was symptomatic of a broader problem for retail nationally. 

“Any shopping centre that loses two key tenants is always a problem but we’ll work as hard as we can to get traders for those key sites.”

Cotton On Group brands Cotton On, Cotton On Body, Rubi Shoes and Typo still have stores in the mall. 

Ballarat’s CBD needed to get back its vitality, Mr Maloney said.

Strip malls nationally are now competing with enclosed shopping centres, he said.

His comments come two months out from the opening of Delacombe Town Square and amid a $37 million renovation to Stockland Wednouree, which will see the addition of 19 shops and restaurants.

“It’s a united effort with ourselves, other traders, the council as well to take a broader view of the CBD to get back our vibrancy which I think is starting to wane,” he said.

“You come to places like Sturt Street or Bridge Mall and you start to see some independents with products that you don’t see in other places, and that sort of mix is a strength.”