Pep returns to Strand Square

The new Pep store is scheduled to open at the end of October 2026 in the space previously occupied by Woolworths at Strand Square.

Pep is returning to Strand Square in Strand after a notable absence, taking over the prominent retail space previously occupied by Woolworths. While some rumors suggested a different format, it has now been confirmed that the new branch will be a normal Pep store.

The outlet will focus primarily on clothing, though it will include a selection of home items. This marks a significant shift for the shopping centre, which saw the departure of Woolworths Foods at the end of June after a five year tenure. The move brings a familiar brand name back to the centre, which was known as the Dorpsmeent Centre before its R6 million refurbishment and rebranding as Strand Square in December 2013.

Work well underway on site

When I visited the centre today, Thursday, 15 October 2026, the transformation of the former Woolworths premises was clearly in full swing. The space, located at the rear of the centre next to Pick n Pay, is currently a hive of activity as contractors race to meet the opening deadline.

Inside the store, shelf and aisle materials have already been delivered and are currently being assembled. The interior walls are also seeing significant progress, with paint work and plasterboard installations well advanced. The covered windows that previously hid the Woolworths departure are now the backdrop for the final push to ready the shopfloor for stock.

Standard store format

Despite some earlier expectations of a Pep Home, the decision to open a normal Pep brings a dedicated clothing range back to this specific part of the Strand CBD. Shoppers looking for the Pep experience also have access to existing branches at Gordon’s Bay Mall, Somerset West Main Road, and Vergelegen Plein, as well as the store that opened at Helderberg Centre on 24 April 2026.

The return of Pep coincides with a new era for the centre itself. Strand Square is now under the ownership and management of Schoonhoven Enterprises Group, representing a different management team than when the retailer last traded at this location.

Opening scheduled for October

Local shoppers will not have to wait long to see the finished result. The store is expected to open its doors at the end of this month, October 2026. This quick turnaround follows just a few months after the previous tenant vacated, ensuring the large floor space does not remain empty during the upcoming festive season.

For residents who remember the old Dorpsmeent days, the sight of the Pep signage returning to the square will be a familiar one, albeit in a centre that has changed significantly over the last decade. The focus now is on the final week of fittings and merchandising before the first customers are welcomed through the doors.