Dan Murphy’s has been trying to establish a presence in Griffith for years. Photo: Dan Murphy’s Facebook.
Dan Murphy’s will not be opening an outlet in Griffith anytime soon, despite a national media report claiming the popular liquor retailer had lined up a place in the town’s shopping mall.
But while the prospect appears off the table for now, Dan Murphy’s owner has indicated Griffith remains under consideration.
The Australian reported last week that the new owners of Griffith Central had secured Dan Murphy’s as an ‘anchor tenant’ – a major retailer intended to attract shoppers and boost foot traffic through the centre.
However, that claim appears inaccurate.
Regulator, mall managers and Dan Murphy’s respond to rumours
Before Dan Murphy’s can establish a presence in Griffith, it must first obtain a packaged liquor licence from the NSW Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority (ILGA). An ILGA spokesperson confirmed to Region that there is no approved licence and no application currently before the regulator.
“Since 2022, when the NSW Independent Liquor & Gaming Authority (ILGA) refused a packaged liquor licence application for a Dan Murphy’s store in Griffith, ILGA has not received a further application for a Dan Murphy’s store to operate in Griffith,” an ILGA spokesperson said.
“In addition, there is no pending application for a Dan Murphy’s in Griffith.”
The managers now overseeing Griffith Central said they had also heard nothing about Dan Murphy’s moving into the shopping centre, nor about another supposed ‘anchor tenant’ mentioned in The Australian report – Best & Less.
For now, the clothing retailer appears set to remain at its Banna Avenue location.
An Endeavour Group spokesperson, which owns Dan Murphy’s, could not confirm any plans for Griffith but hinted there could be hope for the future.
“As a matter of practice, Endeavour regularly reviews its portfolio of stores and venues. There have been previous applications for a Dan Murphy’s store in Griffith, and we will continue to consider our options in the area,” the spokesperson said.
Dan Murphy’s six-year struggle for a presence in town
Rumours of Dan Murphy’s coming to Griffith have persisted for years.
One longstanding theory has been that the retailer could acquire the former Italian Fresh Mercato liquor licence following that business’s closure and set up shop in its still-vacant space in the mall. However, this would still require approval from the state regulator, and no such approval has been granted.
“Under the Liquor Act 2007, only ILGA or Liquor & Gaming NSW under delegation from ILGA can approve the transfer of a liquor licence,” the ILGA spokesperson said.
The now closed Italian Fresh Mercato was rumoured to be a place where Dan Murphy’s could slide in. Photo: Griffith Central Shopping Centre Facebook.
Endeavour Group first proposed a large-format liquor outlet at 75-77 Yambil Street alongside the Griff Hotel in 2020. The development attracted debate, with supporters arguing it would create jobs and increase competition, while opponents raised concerns about alcohol-related harm.
Although Griffith City Council approved the development application in 2022, the proposal ultimately stalled when ILGA refused the packaged liquor licence needed for takeaway alcohol sales.
The regulator pointed to Griffith’s above-average rates of domestic violence, alcohol-related crime and social disadvantage as key reasons for rejecting the application, finding it was not satisfied the “overall social impact” of another large discount liquor outlet would be positive.
This caused some confusion in the community, given Wagga – which has a Dan Murphy’s – had a domestic violence assault rate 13 per cent higher than Griffith in 2022.
Nevertheless, the decision effectively shut the door on the Yambil Street proposal and Endeavour Group did not appeal.
For now, any suggestion that Dan Murphy’s is headed for Griffith Central appears to be more speculation than signed deal.
