It is looking more and more likely that the iconic local corner store Skimmo's in South Lismore will be a victim of progress.

It was March 2021 when leasee Kevin Handcock was collecting signatures to try and save the popular burger place on the Ballina Road/Union Street roundabout. At the time Kevin had collected 500 signatures which ended at the 1,800 mark a few weeks later.

Then-Mayor Vanessa Ekins called up the DA that was submitted by the Spectrum Retail Group to build Lismore's first 7-Eleven. Lismore City Councillors voted against the DA and Skimmo's won a stay of execution.

Ten months later, Skimmo's looks to be on death row again this time with the noose around its neck.

Kevin Handcock told the Lismore App he received an email from his real estate agent advising him the Spectrum Retail Group has finalised its purchase of the land on which Skimmo's is built (lot 135 Union Street) as well as Lot 137 and 139 Union Street on 11 January 2022.

Kevin said he is operating on a month by month basis and has not spoken to the new owners since the purchase. Kevin has said he will be retiring this year.

"It looks as though Skimmo's is on its last legs," Kevin said, "It's a shame to see it go, I wanted to see it go to the girls (who are running the store). I'll hold out until I am told to go."

(The plan for Lismore's first 7-Eleven in the first submitted DA)

Meanwhile, Greg Peddie from the Spectrum Retail Group said they are having more discussions with LCC as they review their next step.

"We are still focused on Plan A (the building of Lismore's first 7-Eleven), this is the line we are going down," Greg said, "Lismore council did recommend the approval of the DA."

"We haven't spoken to the new Mayor or any councillors yet, we are also getting legal advice to assess other options."

The Lismore App understands one of those options is the Land and Environment Court (LEC). A potential costly court case for LCC if that was to take place.

Lismore City Council was approached for a comment. The Lismore App received this reply from a spokesperson, "The Applicant has lodged an appeal against Council. We are in the early stages of working through those appeal documents."

With the potential legal costs of a LEC battle being approximately $300, 000 to $400,000 dollars will we see the DA back on the agenda in a future council meeting to be voted on again by our new councillors? If that happens the pressure falls on the new majority Steve Krieg ticket to vote in favour of progress or potentially cost the council a lot of money to fight what appears to be a losing cause.

As owners of the land, the Spectrum Retail Group can easily cancel the lease and Skimmo fails to exist anyway.

Whichever way you look at it, Skimmo's will more than likely be serving its last burger at some stage in 2022 so get in and make your order soon as it makes way for progress in the form of a 7-Eleven.