Big W Mudgee is getting its first big makeover in 16 years

For the first time since it opened in 2005, Big W Mudgee will undergo a radical transformation - coinciding somewhat with the 16^th anniversary of the store's opening in 2005.

The makeover is part of a larger initiative by the company to refresh some of its stores and bring them in line with contemporary design, variety of range and rejuvenate the brand. The Mudgee store is unique as it's one of the first regional stores to undergo such a transformation.

The Mudgee Guardian sat down with store manager Paulette May about what is changing and what customers can expect.

"So, pretty much everything in the entire shop is going to be brand new except for the outer walls, they're getting a facelift," Paulette said.

"There will be new fixtures, new fittings, new ranges, new stock [and we're] relocating a lot of things so that it flows better, but it's it's going to be quite amazing when it's all finished."

With a little more than a week or so left until the transformation is complete, Paulette explained it's pretty much a 24/7 operation to get it all done in time. "So it's [all] overnight works. We're coming in the morning to put some of the bits and pieces back and then the night crew are here from four o'clock, the shopfitters arrive at five o'clock, the team arrives at seven o'clock and then the other team arrives and they're working overnight until 4am. So there's really only an hour that the store has not got somebody here at the moment," she said.

"So it's full on and it goes constantly."

The changes will be not only visual but the layout of the store will change as well, with a greater range of stock and an emphasis on a cleaner, more customer friendly layout and a much larger baby section to boot. Also, as part of the makeover the photo lab will not be coming back.

"This is just a way to bring in a lot of new ranges, a very fresh look, you know, with the new paint job our apparel now looks amazing and yet it's mostly the same apparel we've always had. It brings the stock to life," she said.

"It all makes perfect sense now, the bathroom accessories are now actually in manchester for the first time in 16 years."

Emma Holdaway has been a staff member at Mudgee Big W since the day it opened. Her mum even has an old Mudgee Guardian clipping of the moment she served the very first customer. She said it's easily the biggest change the store has seen in that time.

"We've been incredibly busy," she said.

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