FURIOUS locals have slammed plans to demolish an iconic shopping centre that was much-loved in the ’90s.
Shoppers who frequent Lewisham Shopping Centre in south east London have ridiculed plans to redevelop the site as a “complete waste of money.”
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The site has been earmarked for demolition as part of a £1.3 billion project to build 1,700 new homes, a modern shopping complex with a rooftop garden, and a new live music venue.
However, the project, if approved by Lewisham Council, would take 10 years to complete and could cause disruption to the area.
Many locals are fuming at the plans, with some feeling their voices weren’t listened to, despite the project having a three year-long consultation period.
William McCann, 76, described the plans as a “waste of space” and a “complete waste of money”.
Read More on Shop Closures
He told The Sun: “I don’t think it’ll work, it’s a waste of money.
“By the time you demolish this, you’ll lose everything, the market and all.”
The pensioner added that he likes the centre as it’s “handy for elderly people to come in”, and questioned how transport links would be disrupted by the construction.
However, he said that he wanted to see some improvements in the current complex.
The pensioner added: “To demolish this place, it’s a mistake.
“Instead of demolishing it, why don’t they try to improve it inside?”
Other shoppers were similarly frustrated by the plans and expressed their concern for crime in the area.
Moses Akodwiw, 25, fears nothing will change with the construction of the new complex.
He said young people are constantly caught shoplifting in the centre and that they turn to crime and disorder as they don’t have activity spaces.
The 25-year-old described how he’d witnessed shoplifters on roller-skates roaming throughout the centre.
He added: “The council needs to be building spaces for young people.
“You can change the centre but that won’t change people.”
He felt that upgrading the shopping complex would not change the “worsening” state of the area.
Heather Rothwell, 72, agreed and added concern to where people will shop in the area.
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She said: “I don’t come here very often but I still come now and again.
“But without shops, where will people go?
“I’m for keeping it.”
William Tutt, 68, feels the same way, adding he’s “against” the redevelopment.
Beverley Clarke, 44, said she doesn’t feel there are “enough” shopping centres in the local area.
She was also concerned people will have “nowhere to go,” especially elderly groups, if the centre is closed.
The 44-year-old called for greater investment in community centres and libraries rather than the refurbishment of the shopping complex.
She described the site’s planned demolition as “the death of the high street.”
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Becca, 22, and Sol, 24, were equally horrified at the plans.
They focused on how just 6% of the new 1,700 homes would be designated as “social housing”, an amount they felt was hugely inadequate.
Becca said: “It’s disgusting.
“The council should be ashamed of themselves.”
Both added that the project is a “waste of money.”
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Khevyn ‘BE’ Ibrahim, 29, who curates work at the Migration Museum in the shopping centre, was saddened at the news.
He reminisced about memories of growing up in and around the shopping centre.
The 29-year-old added: “I think building affordable homes should be a priority.”
Another unnamed worker at the museum was frustrated at the “difficult” change.
He said: “It’s frustrating when a change happens to you, rather than you choosing to do it.”
Iconic shopping centre loved in the 90s set to be demolished – as devastated customers say they ‘can’t believe it’
AN ICONIC South London shopping centre, loved in the 90s, is set to be demolished.
Devastated customers say they can’t believe St Nicholas Shopping Centre in Sutton will be knocked down.
As with many high streets across the UK, Sutton’s has been hit hard in recent years, with the centre losing most of its major retailers.
Apart from a Primark, a Claire’s and a Perfume Shop it’s mostly empty.
Sutton Council announced plans to regenerate the town centre in October 2022, including removing the building.
This included building 740 new homes, half of which will be affordable for local families, and around 300 homes for social rent.
A new civic hub, library and retail centre are also included in the plans.
It cost £100million and was expected to be one of the South East’s “premiere shopping centres”.
In one online review, one shopper said: “I still remember when this shopping centre opened in the early 90s and going as a young boy with my family to see the cool fountains (people used to treat these as wishing wells and throw coins in…), skylights and loads of amazing cool shops.
“Now its many units, especially in once famous food court on the top floor, is desolate.
“Big names have disappeared, some escalators and lifts are non functional and fountains are all gone! My, how shabby this place has turned.”
Another person, who visited in the summer, said it was an “eerie liminal space where you can experience the Backrooms in real life”.
They added: “I hope to never go back.”
Others in the shopping centre and surrounding area expressed doubt that the project would even be followed through with.
Some said how the plans had been “going on for years” and that it would likely fail like any previous attempts.
However, others felt that the new construction could be beneficial.
One market stall owner said: “It all needs to come down and be regenerated.”
However, they did question whether people need physical stores in the era of online shopping.
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Another stall owner, Chris Tapson, 60, took aim at the council for having “no clue” about local people’s needs.
He said: “They’re supposed to represent us but they haven’t got a clue.”
He too blasted the project as a “waste of money”.
Developers have said the project received a high level of support throughout its consultation period.
A spokesperson for the project said the summer 2024 consultation had over 1400 visitors with over 40 hours of engagement.
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It claims feedback showed “excitement” about the proposals and that it will work alongside locals to deliver the scheme.
A spokesperson for the project said: “If approved, the proposals to transform Lewisham Shopping Centre would deliver a £160m annual boost to the local economy, thousands of new jobs and eight acres of new public space.
“Crucially, the masterplan will also deliver thousands of much needed homes for London.
“This is a once in a generation opportunity to improve the lives of millions of people who live in and around Lewisham town centre and across the wider borough.
“Right from the start of our journey to rethink the centre, we heard loud and clear from thousands of locals what mattered most to them and we’ve evolved our plans over more than three years to reflect these priorities.
“Since we started consulting publicly, we have had over 3000 visitors to our events, totalling over 230 hours of engagement, providing near 500 survey respondents of which 89% were positive about the updated overall plans for a replacement shopping centre.
“As a direct result of local feedback, we’ve added more green space, a music venue, and we’re taking a phased approach to development so that the existing centre can remain open for as long as possible.”
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