Why Perth's 'pathetic and sad' Morley Galleria shopping centre is almost deserted

An almost deserted shopping centre has been slammed as 'pathetic' and 'sad' by as retailers await a proposed $350million upgrade.  

The Morley Galleria, in Perth's north-east, is devoid of businesses and customers after the planned refurbishment failed to materialise. 

More than 10 retailers and restaurants including McDonald's have left since 2020 due to a lack of foot traffic. 

Only a handful of stores, including clothing and footwear outlets Valleygirl and Foot Locker, remain. 

Locals took to social media to label the centre a 'disaster'. 

'The stalls and shop lots are pathetic, the upper floor is deserted and awfully sad,' one person wrote. 

'The Galleria is just awful these days...toilets are disgusting...almost no food outlets, no food courts (and many) shops have closed down,' another person wrote. 

Others blamed the shopping centre's management and said they had let the once thriving establishment down.

'The Galleria is an absolute scrap failure of greed by the owners,' one person wrote. 

'What a disaster it is... I remember when it opened, it held so much promise for the community,' another person said. 

The centre was set to undergo a multi-million dollar redevelopment four years ago. 

Real estate management company Vicinity Centres was tasked with overseeing the project.

A spokesperson for the management said the upgrade has been paused until retail market conditions recovers. 

'Vicinity Centres is working hard to meet its commitments on the revitalisation of Galleria and delivering a contemporary centre that meets the retail, entertainment and leisure needs of the community,' the spokesperson told Perth Now. 

'Our priority is to continue to support our retailers and customers, and we look forward to progressing plans to proceed with our planned investment in the future of Galleria.'

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Vicinity Centres for further comment. 

City of Bayswater Council CEO Jeremy Edwards told the newspaper the council has not received any updates about the upgrade. 

Mayor Filomena Piffaretti said the council had been lobbying for the upgrades for years.  

'The lack of progress on the redevelopment of Morley Galleria is extremely disappointing for our community,' she said.

'Once a jewel in Vicinity's crown, the Galleria is in dire need of refurbishment.'

Daily Mail has contacted the council and Ms Piffaretti for further comment.  

The Morley Galleria was opened in 1994 and is still home to major supermarket stores and retailers, including Coles, Woolworths and Myer. 

The centre was last upgraded in 2008.