The Diana Ferrari store in Woden will close within weeks after the company announced all Australian stores would shut due to the difficult retail environment.
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Five staff will be made redundant when the store closes on Sunday January 21, in the latest blow for Woden, which has seen more than 700 public service jobs moved from the area since 2011.
Munro Footwear Group, which bought Diana Ferrari as part of its acquisition of Fusion Retail Brands in June last year, said it would close the stores and no longer produce apparel, but Diana Ferrari shoes would still be stocked in Williams and Mathers shops, as well as in Myer and David Jones.
In a national announcement, Munro Footwear Group said no jobs would be lost through the closure of the stores, with all staff to be offered work in the 280 other stores owned by the group, which include brands like Williams, Midas and Mountfords shoes. Staff at Woden couldn't be offered an immediate transition, as the only other Munro Footwear Group store in Canberra is a Midas Shoes concession store within the David Jones at Canberra Centre. There are five staff at the store in Woden, including one full time, one part time and three casual staff members.
A spokesperson for Munro Footwear Group said the staff would be made redundant, but the company was hoping to open a Williams store in Canberra and they might be offered positions there.
The store in the Woden Westfield Centre is the only store in the ACT. There was formerly a Diana Ferrari store in Canberra Centre, which has already closed.
Munro Footwear Group CEO Jay Munro said, "Following a strategic review of its retail brand portfolio, Munro Footwear Group has decided to exit its Diana Ferrari apparel business in order to focus on its core business of footwear and its objective of being Australia's best footwear company.
"This was a difficult decision because Diana Ferrari Retail and its apparel division have been solid performers with a loyal customer base and staff dedicated to a high level of customer service. However, focusing purely on footwear across all MFG brands is the right strategic decision for the company."
Woden Valley Community Council has expressed concern about the continued closure of community services. Public service numbers in the town centre have dropped from a high of 6100 positions under the former Labor government, to 5394 in 2016.
In 2015, the ACT government announced it would move 1100 jobs to Woden to try and boost the area's economy.
In 2014 Myer pulled out of plans to open a store at the Woden centre, and the retail giant has recently announced it will close its store in Belconnen Westfield.
The ACT government released a draft of its master plan to revitalise the Woden town centre in August last year, with plans for higher density housing, including allowing for buildings of up to 28 storeys.
