Charlestown Square

Charlestown Square is a major shopping centre in Charlestown, a suburb of the City of Lake Macquarie in New South Wales, Australia. It combines department stores, supermarkets, fashion and specialty retail, food and beverage venues, entertainment facilities, services, and transport infrastructure in a large indoor and outdoor complex. The centre has approximately 93,400 square metres of floor space and multi-level parking for 2,254 vehicles. Its trading area includes Charlestown, surrounding Lake Macquarie suburbs, and parts of the greater Newcastle region. The centre opened on 27 March 1979 as a two-level shopping complex with Kmart, Coles, and about 50 specialty stores. It was subsequently enlarged and modernised through several stages. Work in 1983 and 1989 added further retail capacity, including a Grace Bros department store, and introduced a food court known as Charlie's Magic Eatery. Additional upgrades followed in 1996 and 2000, reflecting the centre's transition from a local shopping complex into a larger regional destination. A significant change in the tenant mix occurred in August 2004, when Kmart closed and moved to the expansion at Stockland Glendale. The former Kmart space was later occupied by Target. The centre then pursued a much larger redevelopment. After Lake Macquarie City Council support was obtained in January 2008, a reported $470 million expansion proceeded despite opposition from some local figures, including local member of parliament Matthew Morris. Completed in October 2010, the project added 110 specialty stores and expanded the centre's entertainment and dining offer. New attractions included Rebel Sport, JB Hi-Fi, an eight-screen Reading Cinemas complex with two Gold Lounge cinemas, Strike Bowling Bar, and restaurants. Reading Cinemas officially opened on 21 October 2010. Another major redevelopment took place in 2015 in an area associated with the former Best & Less tenancy. Construction required 34 retailers to close during the works, but the completed project broadened the centre's international and national fashion offer. H&M and Mecca became prominent additions, while a flagship Cotton On store also strengthened the fashion component. Aldi opened at the centre on 29 June 2016, and H&M and the Cotton On flagship opened on 14 July 2016. Charlestown Square has continued to reposition itself as a combined retail, dining, and leisure destination rather than only a conventional shopping centre. A further $4.6 million project created new bars and cafés, culminating in the opening of The Corner dining precinct on 5 December 2019. The precinct introduced six contemporary restaurants, and a renovated Timezone entertainment venue opened around the same period. The centre's listed major retailers and attractions include Myer, Big W, Kmart, Aldi, Coles, Woolworths, Cotton On, H&M, Apple, JB Hi-Fi, Rebel, Timezone, Holey Moley, Strike Bowling Bar, and Reading Cinemas. The centre is connected by bus services operated by Newcastle Transport, Hunter Valley Buses, and limited Busways services. Target closed in November 2025 and was subsequently replaced by Kmart, according to the supplied reference material.

Charlestown Square opened on 27 March 1979 as a two-storey shopping centre with Kmart, Coles, and approximately 50 specialty stores. Its early role was primarily that of a local convenience and comparison-shopping centre, but successive building programs expanded both its physical scale and its retail offer. Upgrades in 1983 and 1989 added new capacity, including a Grace Bros department store and a food court called Charlie's Magic Eatery. Further modernisation occurred in 1996 and 2000. Kmart left the centre in August 2004 after relocating to the expansion of Stockland Glendale. The vacated space was later occupied by Target. The centre subsequently pursued a much more ambitious redevelopment intended to establish it as a regional retail and entertainment destination. Lake Macquarie City Council supported the expansion in January 2008, although the proposal faced opposition from some community and political figures, including local member of parliament Matthew Morris. The major redevelopment was completed in October 2010 following reported investment of $470 million. It added 110 specialty stores and introduced a broader entertainment precinct. The new facilities included Rebel Sport and JB Hi-Fi, an eight-screen Reading Cinemas complex with two Gold Lounge auditoria, Strike Bowling Bar, and restaurants. Reading Cinemas began operations officially on 21 October 2010. These changes shifted Charlestown Square's identity toward a full-day destination combining shopping, dining, and leisure. A further redevelopment in 2015 affected the part of the centre associated with the former Best & Less tenancy. Thirty-four retailers closed during construction, while the completed project brought major international and national brands into the centre's mix. Aldi opened on 29 June 2016. H&M opened on 14 July 2016, at the same time as a flagship Cotton On store. The resulting tenant mix included department stores, supermarkets, fashion chains, electronics, beauty retailers, sporting-goods stores, restaurants, and entertainment venues. The centre continued to invest in food and leisure facilities during the late 2010s. A reported $4.6 million project created new bars and cafés and culminated in the opening of The Corner dining precinct on 5 December 2019. The precinct contained six contemporary restaurants, while a renovated Timezone venue added to the centre's family entertainment offer. Charlestown Square is an indoor and outdoor complex with approximately 93,400 square metres of floor space. Its major listed tenants and attractions include Myer, Big W, Kmart, Aldi, Coles, Woolworths, Cotton On, H&M, Apple, JB Hi-Fi, Rebel, Timezone, Holey Moley, Strike Bowling Bar, and Reading Cinemas. The centre is served by bus routes connecting it with Lake Macquarie and Newcastle suburbs. Its parking facilities contain 2,254 spaces. The supplied reference material states that Target closed in November 2025 and that Kmart subsequently occupied the space. Individual tenants and operating arrangements can change over time, so the current tenant list requires periodic verification.

1. 2025Target replaced by Kmart

   Target closes in November and is subsequently replaced by Kmart, according to the supplied reference.

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2. 2019The Corner dining precinct opens

   A $4.6 million project culminates in the opening of The Corner on 5 December, adding six restaurants and refreshed leisure facilities.

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3. 2016Aldi, H&M, and Cotton On additions

   Aldi opens on 29 June, followed by H&M and a flagship Cotton On store on 14 July.

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4. 2015Further redevelopment begins

   A redevelopment affecting the former Best & Less area results in the temporary closure of 34 retailers.

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5. 2010Major redevelopment completed

   The reported $470 million redevelopment is completed in October, adding 110 specialty stores and a new entertainment precinct.

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6. 2008Major expansion approved

   Lake Macquarie City Council supports the centre's major expansion proposal in January.

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7. 2004Kmart departs

   Kmart closes at Charlestown Square in August and relocates to the expanded Stockland Glendale centre.

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8. 1989Department store and food-court expansion

   A further upgrade adds a Grace Bros department store and Charlie's Magic Eatery food court.

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9. 1983First major upgrade

   The centre undergoes an early expansion and modification program.

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10. 1979Centre opens

    Charlestown Square opens on 27 March as a two-level centre with Kmart, Coles, and about 50 specialty stores.

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A regional shopping and entertainment destination combining everyday retail, fashion, supermarkets, dining, cinema, and leisure attractions for the Lake Macquarie and Newcastle markets.

• Retail and department-store offerShopping centre retail1979

  Charlestown Square provides space for department stores, fashion chains, electronics retailers, beauty brands, sporting-goods stores, and specialty shops. Listed major retailers include Myer, Big W, Cotton On, H&M, Apple, JB Hi-Fi, and Rebel. The mix has expanded substantially through successive redevelopments.

• Supermarket retailGroceries1979

  The centre supports regular grocery shopping through Coles, Woolworths, Aldi, and other supermarket-related services. Coles was present at opening, while Aldi joined the centre in 2016.

• The CornerDining precinct2019

  The Corner is a dining precinct opened on 5 December 2019 after a reported $4.6 million project. It introduced six contemporary restaurants together with new bar and café space, strengthening Charlestown Square's evening and social offer.

• Reading CinemasCinema and entertainment2010

  The centre's eight-screen Reading Cinemas complex opened on 21 October 2010. It includes two Gold Lounge cinemas and forms part of the entertainment precinct created by the major redevelopment.

• Leisure and family entertainmentEntertainment2010

  Charlestown Square's leisure offer includes Strike Bowling Bar, Timezone, and Holey Moley, alongside restaurants and cinema facilities. These venues support the centre's positioning as a destination for combined shopping, dining, and recreation.

• 2019Invest in dining and leisureStrategy

  The centre sought to increase its appeal beyond daytime retail by adding hospitality and social entertainment uses.

  What changed. A reported $4.6 million project created new bars and cafés and delivered The Corner dining precinct.

  Aftermath. The Corner opened on 5 December with six contemporary restaurants, while a renovated Timezone added to the leisure offer.

  Reported redevelopment investment. 4.6 million Australian dollars (Project completed in 2019)

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• 2015Redevelop former Best & Less areaStrategy

  The centre aimed to refresh part of its tenancy and attract major international and national retailers.

  What changed. Charlestown Square redeveloped the relevant section, requiring 34 retailers to close during construction.

  Aftermath. The completed project brought retailers including H&M and Mecca to the centre, with H&M and a flagship Cotton On store opening in July 2016.

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• 2008Proceed with major regional-centre expansionStrategy

  Charlestown Square sought to grow beyond its earlier local shopping-centre format and add substantial retail and entertainment capacity.

  What changed. Following Lake Macquarie City Council support in January, the centre proceeded with a reported $470 million expansion.

  Aftermath. The redevelopment was completed in October 2010 and added 110 specialty stores, cinema screens, bowling, restaurants, and other entertainment facilities. The proposal also generated opposition from some local figures.

  Reported expansion investment. 470 million Australian dollars (Expansion announced and undertaken from 2008; completed in 2010)

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• 2025Target store closes and Kmart takes over former space

  Target closed its Charlestown Square store in November and was subsequently replaced by Kmart, according to the supplied reference material.

  Product generation
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• 2023Man charged after alleged syringe threat at bakery

  Police arrested a man after an alleged threat against bakery staff involving a syringe. He was charged with robbery armed with an offensive weapon and refused bail, according to the supplied reference.

  Other
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• 2020Customer arrested after alleged assaults on supermarket staff

  A woman was arrested after allegedly threatening and assaulting a supermarket employee and a security guard. Police were told she had previously been banned from the store following an altercation with staff.

  Other
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• 2019The Corner dining precinct opens

  Charlestown Square opened The Corner on 5 December, a dining precinct with six contemporary restaurants, alongside a renovated Timezone venue.

  Product launch
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• 2018Police incident during arrest near liquor store

  Police responding to a domestic-violence matter arrested a man outside a liquor store. During the arrest he stabbed himself, was tasered, lost consciousness, and was later taken to hospital in critical condition.

  Other
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• 2016New international and national retailers join the centre

  Aldi opened on 29 June, followed by H&M and a flagship Cotton On store on 14 July, as part of the centre's continuing redevelopment and tenant-mix expansion.

  Product launch
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• 2015Violent assault reported outside cinema complex

  A father and his teenage daughter were assaulted outside the cinema complex by a group of youths. The father reportedly suffered injuries and personal belongings were taken. A teenage boy was arrested and dealt with under the Young Offenders Act.

  Other
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• 2010Major redevelopment completed with new retail and entertainment precinct

  The centre completed a reported $470 million redevelopment in October, adding 110 specialty stores, an eight-screen Reading Cinemas complex, Strike Bowling Bar, restaurants, and other facilities.

  OtherProduct launch
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• 2010Reading Cinemas opens at Charlestown Square

  Reading Cinemas officially opened its eight-screen complex, including two Gold Lounge cinemas, on 21 October.

  Product launch
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• 2008Charlestown Square expansion receives council support

  Lake Macquarie City Council supported the centre's proposed major expansion. The project attracted opposition from some local figures, including local member of parliament Matthew Morris.

  Other
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1. Charlestown Square
2. Charlestown Square official website