Work begins on new retail center on bypass road

WICHIT: Amid rumors that a new shopping mall is under construction opposite Central Festival Phuket on the bypass road, the Gazette has learned that a new branch of homeWorks, a complete home decoration and building supplies subsidiary of retailing giant Central, is slated for the site.

Work began recently on the large plot behind Darasamuth School, with trucks working day and night to clear the land.

Wiset Sabaijit, Chief Administrative Officer (Palad) of Wichit Municipality, told the Gazette that permission to build the retail center was granted several months ago.

However, he added that they were currently awaiting approval of an environmental-impact assessment for an enclosed pedestrian bridge to be built to connect the homeWorks building with Central Festival.

Such permission involved many government agencies, he said, including the Provincial Highways Office.

Palad Wiset said he could not disclose more information about the project, though he added that construction of the shopping center is expected to be within 2008.

There are currently eight branches of homeWorks throughout the country, including the store on the lower level at Central Festival Phuket.