Walking along Gidley Street affords me glimpses of Queen Street. Some businesses are closed
because shopping doesn't begin for a couple of hours but there are an enormous number of shopfronts
which are permanently boarded up or else available for lease or sale. Part of the problem is that
many years ago, the St Marys CBD expanded to a point which was never likely to be sustained. Huge
centres offering enormous choice and economy of scale discount prices are not far away in Penrith
and Blacktown. If customers don't shop at the local mall, they go to Penrith or Blacktown. Why not?