Business as usual at Myer Hobart store

HOBART: The smell of fresh paint - rather than smoke - now fills the air in department store Myer's newest Tasmanian premises.

Just over a month after fire devastated its former premises, the national retailer has opened its doors at two new temporary locations.

The first, in a revamped Murray Street store, will focus primarily on apparel but will also feature cosmetics, fragrances, personal care and footwear.

The second, in the city's Macquarie Street, will feature homewear and electrical goods.

Myer chief executive Bernie Brookes said the two stores were the fastest two developments the retailer had ever under-taken.

"These temporary facilities have been turned around in a little over 40 days which is nothing short of astonishing."

Brookes, who attended a pre-opening breakfast with staff before trading began, used the opening to also announce plans for a new "international class" store in the heart of the Hobart CBD.

He said the new building would occupy 12,250 square metres and would efature 1800 square metres of additional trading space. The total development is expected to take two to three years to complete and plans wil be released when the designed is finalised.

Work is expected to commence on the new site in the first quarter of next year.