Pick n Pay has demonstrated its confidence in the Hibiscus Coast economy by opening a new corporate store in Hibberdene.

Developers are now definitely starting to eye the ‘Cinderella’ South Coast seriously with even the big brand retailers like Pick n Pay on the hunt for new outlets.

A new Pick n Pay corporate store was opened at Hibberdene on Thursday and general manager Anil Gopichund said this was hopefully the first of several.

Others will soon open at the new Gamalakhe centre and, possibly, Port Edward. Mr Gopichund said they were still searching for other sites.

“We certainly see a great future for this area,” he said, “as it is ripe for development.”

* Another exciting industry that is destined to put the South Coast on the map is macadamia nuts.

It has been discovered that much of the farmland along the coastal belt is ideally suited to nuts and more and more farmers are planting trees. South Coast macadamias are already recognised worldwide as top quality.

While the drought and rand-dollar exchange rate has hit others hard, macadamia farmers are cashing in.

* Although it is being kept under wraps for the time being, the Herald hopes to break the news about an exciting R150-million development for the coast within the next few weeks.

* Then, the first draft of an exciting new urban design framework is also being discussed behind closed doors at the Hibiscus Coast Municipality.

Authorities are reluctant to broadcast the plans yet because the bubble has been burst for hopeful ratepayers so many times before.