A brewery partner is being sought to launch a taproom and restaurant at new flagship shopping destination Caddens Corner in Western Sydney.

Construction has just begun on the shopping destination in the growing suburb of Penrith, and is due to complete by mid-2020. The four-hectare site on O’Connell Street is owned by Western Sydney University.

The successful brewer will have a 450-square metre site to work with, plus an additional 150 square metres of external seating space.

Breweries from across Australia are welcome to apply to this unique anchor site according to Caddens Corner’s development managers, Kaipara Property Group.

“Western Sydney University’s Caddens Corner shopping destination will be market-leading in terms of its ‘town centre’-style development,” Kaipara joint managing director David Hopper said.

“That’s why we’re looking for a brewery with a unique taproom idea to help create a robust night time economy, as well as contributing to what will be Caddens Corner’s vibrant all-day trade.”

Part of The Quarter, Penrith’s health and education precinct, Caddens Corner is connected to staff and students from three of the city’s largest employers – Western Sydney University, TAFE Western Institute and the Nepean Hospital.

Hopper said that there was a captured audience of around 18,000 people within reach of the destination.

“We want somewhere where people can meet and socialise. A successful candidate will need to be versatile and appeal to the student market, while at the same time providing a family-friendly environment,” Hopper explained.

“An offering like this will also increase market penetration, and with the right operator, we can attract visitors from further afield,” Hopper explained.

A prospective brewery will have an existing brewpub or taproom venue to showcase its brand and hospitality capabilities, as well as a food offering, he said, although brewing operations will not be undertaken at the Caddens Corner site due to planning restrictions.

“We don’t want this to be their first operation. It’s important that we find someone who’s established and has other operations as well.

“Experience, knowledge of the market and ability to deliver a sustainable concept are key attributes of a potential tenant.

“We want to get the best fit here so we’re happy to look at design and make sure it’s a win-win.”

The potential taproom site has an outdoor firepit and external water features, and it will have a major focus on food as well as craft beer.

“The food offering is important and we will want a potential brewery tenant to have a good idea what the menu will look like, and be open to discussion as we’ve got some operators already, including Korean BBQ, sushi and Italian food outlets.”

He said the decision to bring a brewer to the Caddens Corner dining offering was an easy one due to the growing popularity of craft beer.

“Shopping centres evolve and adapt to market trends. Craft breweries are an evolving market which are becoming more prevalent in the food and beverage landscape.

“Moving forward, the craft brewery will become the anchor of the dining precincts,” he concluded.

Caddens Corner will consist of around 9,000 square metres of retail space, 5,000 square metres of which will be specialty retail and food outlets.

The successful brewery will begin trading on site in August 2020.

Interested in the opportunity? Email info@caddenscorner.com.au with details of your brewery, existing operations and an expression of interest in the Caddens Corner site.