Warning over Town Centre's Future

12.00.00am GMT Fri 6th Jan 2006

Cllr Jenny Powell

Orpington Councillor Jenny Powell is concerned about the viability of Orpington High Street following news that Debenhams and Next are recruiting for a rival shopping Centre nearby. Cllr Powell believes that the Nugent Retail Park, Cray Avenue, which is due to open in the spring, will threaten the future of Orpington Town Centre.

"We have waited years for big names to come to Orpington," says Liberal Democrat Cllr Jenny Powell, "the trouble is that these stores won't be coming to Orpington High Street, and they will be drawing trade away from the Town Centre. "

The Councillor is calling on Bromley Council to act as a matter of urgency to progress an emergency action plan which will address the needs of Orpington High Street.

"The Council were very keen to get Tesco," says Cllr Powell, "and they ignored our concerns about the effect on other shops. This second blow could be fatal for the High Street. The Council have received a very large capital sum from Tesco, we need much of that money spent on saving the High Street from becoming a "retail desert," she warned.

"Many shoppers will find everything they need for their weekly shopper in the Tesco superstore and for other goods they will be drawn to the big names at Nugent Retail Park. My fear is the gaping hole that will appear in between the two." Cllr Powell said.

Bromley Council have earmarked some of the capital receipt from the purchase of the Station Road Car Park, Orpington by Tesco to fund a revamp of Bromley High Street. A development plan for Bromley High Street is currently being consulted on.

Cllr Jenny Powell said, "Bromley Council should be ahead of the game. Work on an Orpington Plan should have started immediately that Tesco got the green light. The Council have known that the both Tesco and the Nugent Retail Park will damage Orpington." she added, "I hope they have not left it too late."