The Universal Store on Marine Drive, which is to be redeveloped, currently has an interim heritage order, which expires on February 24.

Heritage listing will not take away the landowner's previous consent and right to demolish the building, but will give the council more time to negotiate an agreed redevelopment outcome.

The owners have agreed to retain the façade of the building and incorporate some of the sidewalls into a link with the new building planned for the rear of the property.

The store, built early last century, is the last significant structure to represent the historical aspect of Tea Gardens Village and has had a long association with the prominent Engel family.

In a report, the Great Lakes Council heritage consultant Garry Smith said that the Universal Store had historical significance as a record of Tea Gardens' early twentieth century growth. He said the store was divided into three separate shops and showed a past way of trading when enterprising business people could establish large, multifaceted shops supplying a range of goods by utilising the population and transport patterns peculiar to their area.

Changing demographic patterns, land use and transport methods had caused these "universal providers" to close or be converted to other businesses. Mr Smith said the Universal Store was the only brick retail building remaining from Tea Gardens' early development.

The council's Strategic Land use Planner, Peta Stimson, said it was important that the council formally recognised the heritage significance of the building by listing it in the Local Environment Plan and documenting its significance.