A neighbourhood shop, consisting solely of vending and self-service machines, could soon be rolling in to 1 Broughton Street, Parramatta.
When COVID first took over Australia in early 2020, many stores across the country had to re-evaluate how they operate to create a largely contact-free shopping experience.
Now a proposed local store is looking to take contactless shopping one step further, as it lodges plans with Parramatta Council for a convenience store with only vending machines inside – to be called Time to Vend.
According to the Statement of Environmental Effects (SEE), the proposed store intends to service local residents living within walking distance of the shop.
“The proposed neighbourhood shop aims to provide an innovative contactless shopping experience for the residents of the locality with easy and fast access to daily necessity and convenience items and services,” the document said.
“The shop will operate from 7am to 10pm, and offer state-of-the-art vending machines.”
Along with the usual snacks and drinks you can expect to find in a vending machine, the contactless shop will also provide pharmacy stock such as toothpaste, phone care items, an orange juice machine, collectable toys, pet food, laundry services, convenience gift cards, plus train and bus ticket vending machines.
If given the green light by Council, the self-service neighbourhood shop will also provide a seating and ‘chill out zone’ for visitors.
Ellie Busby is a news reporter for Western Sydney Publishing Group. A graduate of the University of Hertfordshire and Western Sydney University, she is a journalism Major. Ellie has worked with Universal Media, The Cova Project and for a range of other organisations. In 2024, Ellie was named Young Writer of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.