Anxiety expert considers new Yamanto Central shopping centre could improve mental health

While many parts of the retail sector are struggling due to the impact of COVID, Pauline McKinnon, a leading counsellor, psychotherapist and anxiety expert, believes that shopping local in shopping centres such as the new Yamanto Central shopping mall in the South East Queensland city of Ipswich, is important for your mental health, especially during these COVID times when people are staying home, social distancing and avoiding travel.

Looking to offer a new type of retail environment, Yamanto Central is the first stage of the 25 hectare Yamanto Town Centre masterplan, which will bring together a modern, convenient and community oriented mix of retail, health and wellness and casual dining to the area.

McKinnon considers that shopping at your suburban shopping centre is not only convenient, but it is also good for your mental health. Contemporary suburban shopping centres were born out of the ancient concept of markets.

With contemporary suburban shopping centres born out of the ancient concept of markets, McKinnon highlights “we are social ‘creatures’ and crave the company of others.

“Traditionally, people would gather in the market each morning to buy their goods and share time, conversation and life with friends and acquaintances – and maybe especially – with the vendors.  Bargaining, telling stories and relaying shared experiences were primary reasons for daily outings, almost more important than the marketing itself.

“There is significant social comfort in knowing who runs the business, how to expect being treated and the level of quality and advice offered.  The modern supermarket is convenient but lacks deep social energy. Especially today, due to COVID, from the influence of lockdown, isolation, online purchasing and contactless delivery, people have also lost the healing power of human interaction.”

According to Vicky Leavy, General Manager of JMK Retail - specialised suburban-based shopping centre owners and developers including Yamanto Central - McKinnon’s views support her company’s aim of harnessing the power of community.

Leavy adds “we strongly believe that community-based shopping centres are the way of the future. While big-box retailers and city centres have a place, suburban-based centres are more about community, family and connection.

“This is why our shopping centres have continued to perform strongly during COVID. In fact, our new centre, Yamanto Central, which is due to open mid-2021 is attracting significant interest from retailers.  Not only is it in a prime growth corridor west of Brisbane, it offers all the essential services and offerings that families are looking for, locally. Coles and Kmart have already signed up to anchor the centre and we are receiving many more leasing enquiries from national retailers and local businesses keen to be part of the centre.

“Our feedback from local communities is that they feel more comfortable shopping local. They feel safer and more at home. They like that when they go to their local shopping centre they know the traders and the traders know their name.  This has to be a good thing for the human spirit.”

McKinnon believes mental health is strengthened within a shared community and adds “a casual conversation along the way to market can lift the spirit – the old adage of ‘a problem shared is a problem halved’ is valuable to remember.

“When one is feeling sad, lonely, lost or confused these feelings can gently pass, just because of a conversation with another. And problems do not necessarily even need to be shared! The energy of community can transform lives and restore perspective to the troubled mind.”

Leavy adds “it seems Yamanto Central, our newest addition to our collection of shopping centres will not only help to support the mental health of the community, it will also provide much-needed jobs and an injection of confidence into the local economy.

“The Yamanto area is already experiencing annual residential growth of over five percent and is expected to achieve retail spend growth of nearly eight percent per year. 54,000 plus residents in the Yamanto area are currently underserviced. $28 million of food catering expenditure escapes the catchment due to lack of suitable dining options. Yamanto Central will address these needs and opportunities.”

Image top: new Yamanto Central and image above: JMK Retail , Yamanto Central developers have announced that Viva Leisure has secured two sites within the shopping mall.