Wingham shoppers will have noticed some major work being conducted at the centre since the initial demolition stage began in May.

The Bogas Service Station was closed temporarily last week, but it is set to remain open for the bulk of the reconstruction through a temporary building.

The developers have gone to pains to allow both the service station and the supermarket to remain open during the building work.

Jeff Rogers of Mid Coast Property Consultants, who is representing the plaza owners Mormatsal Investments during the redevelopment, said the major disruption to the working of the centre will be the moving of Bi-Lo’s loading area.

Instead of loading from the back, stock will be delivered to the front of the supermarket.

“This will only cause headaches for staff, not for shoppers,” Mr Rogers said.

But other than this, Mr Rogers said there should be no major inconveniences for customers.

“Yes, a period of disruption is possible at certain stages however the alternative was to shut the centre down completely.

“We thought it was best to keep both the supermarket and the service station operating to maintain services for shoppers.”

Mr Rogers said the closure of both businesses would have been easier for the redevelopers.

“It means a greater cost and an extended time period (for the redevelopment), but it would not have been the best thing for Wingham.”

The beginning of the construction phase is imminent, with digging and concrete slab lying set to begin straight after first demolitions are completed.

The work is on track for an August 2009 opening.