Will refusing the high rise come at a high price?

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Retailers say Ealing is on a 'slippery slope' downwards

 

Arcadia retailers have spoken out in favour of the Glenkerrin Leaf proposals for Ealing Broadway and warned of yet more losses if its uncertain future continues.

Steve Thomas, Manager of the Arcadia Centre, has collected signatures from several retailers wanting to show their support, including TK Maxx, BBs Coffee and Muffins, Tanning Shop, Mr Benn, Leather Connections, Things, Moist, Divine Jewellery, West Side and Bad Boys.  Other major retailers in the town are making their own representations on the development.

Steve Thomas warned of the risks of refusing such a scheme: "The majority of the shops at the Arcadia Centre have registered their full support for a new scheme for Ealing Broadway's town centre," he said. " If these proposed plans do not go ahead Ealing is on a slippery slope downwards.  There is already the need for large brand names in Ealing and we are continuing to lose our best shops to other areas such as Kingston and White City."

Mohammed Yahya, Manager for men's fashion store Westside, added his support. "We are looking to expand our business in the UK over the next few years and should the new plans for Ealing go ahead we will consider opening another store in this area," he said. "We feel that the new plans for the Arcadia Centre will definitely brighten up Ealing and attract more quality shoppers to the town centre."


Stuart Le Frenais, Head of Retail for Jones Lang La Salle added: "If a new retail offering is not delivered there will be a further decline in the quality of shops in the town, coupled with an increase in empty shop premises and more than likely a terminal decline in rental values.

"The modern shopping facilities will be looking to attract mid to upper market, predominantly fashion and specialist local operators, which will also have a positive effect on retail in the rest of the town.

"Whilst uncertainty hangs over the future of the new development many retailers trade will continue to suffer.  This leads to a knock on effect of more discount value shops taking shorter leases with no long term commitment to the town."

Stuart Melville, Dealer Principal of Ealing's Bang & Olufsen store, is also in favour of the scheme. "Ealing has a very high proportion of affluent residents and we need to get more of them shopping here.  The people of Ealing are looking for shops just like ours: we need more focus on specialist retailers.  We feel that the proposed plans for the new shopping centre will offer a better quality retail space and will seek to regenerate a tired area."

 

January 24, 2008