Plaza shops trade through upgrade
![Builders work on the long-awaited upgrade of the Bunbury Plaza Shopping Centre.](https://images.thewest.com.au/publication/YA-395797/6_1bbqg3p-1bbqg3v.jpg?imwidth=810&impolicy=wan_v3)
Shelley Parsons was enjoying her semi-retirement until she was convinced to buy the newsagency at the Bunbury Plaza Shopping Centre.
The 64-year-old's sons Blair and Zane, who own the well-known butcher Buckingham Meats in the same complex, asked her to take on the newsagency which was about to close without an owner.
Now Mrs Parsons says she is excited for the future because she is months away from moving into a new shop which will be part of the long-awaited upgrade of the shopping centre.
Perkins Builders started work late last year to expand the shopping centre which will feature a bigger Woolworths store.
Mrs Parsons' newsagency, which is also the lotto agent and post office, is still open as the work takes place.
The butcher is also open, as are many of the businesses adjoining the shopping centre.
But she hopes in March she will be able to move into a small, more modern space which will be combined with the coffee shop.
"We just have to be positive and look forward," she said.
"I come from a country town (Wagin) and this is like living in a country town."
She thanked her loyal customers who had continued to support the newsagency despite the inconvenience of the construction work.
Mrs Parson said she was told the Woolworths store would be finished in October.
Bunbury Mayor Gary Brennan said the upgrade of the shopping centre was part of the renewal of the area.
He said about two years ago he met with the owners and suggested they redevelop the centre.
"For me the outcome is sensational," he said.
"We are going to have a very modern supermarket with shops in a very nice residential area and a strategic part of our city."
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