Orpington Walnuts Shopping Centre cinema, retail and restaurant plan go-ahead

1:06pm Monday 24th September 2012 in News By Harry Kemble

AN EXCITING new development plan for Orpington passed by Bromley Council last Thursday (20) will create an estimated 130 jobs for the area.

The £10m mixed use development at the Walnuts Shopping Centre, in Orpington High Street, will include a seven-screen cinema, retail and restaurant units and a new public square.

The council's decision is part of a move to raise Orpington’s profile and improve facilities in the town centre.

Executive councillor for renewal and recreation, Cllr Peter Morgan, said:  "The scheme will not only bring 130 new jobs to the area but will also increase vital footfall, ensuring the vitality of the area and benefiting existing businesses and residents.

"This is a very exciting time for Orpington."

High street improvements costing £2.2m have already been invested in Orpington in an attempt to welcome new retail investors to the centre.

According to council figures this has improved vacancy levels by 3 per cent.

Samantha Payne, 34, of Aylesham Road, Orpington, says she is pleased with the council's attempts to revive the high street.

She said: "It seems to be a lot more buoyant than what it was.

"But anything that improves the area can only be a good thing, I do hope they can attract a few more high end shops to the high street."

The new 950-seat cinema facility will be the first in Orpington in 30 years.

The project should be completed by the end of next year.

For information visit bromley.gov.uk/planning

Comments(9)

Slonik says...
3:08pm Mon 24 Sep 12

Good news for Orpington. Let's hope the work's done to a higher standard than the £2.2m worth of 'improvements' to the High Street were or it'll all be falling apart in a couple of years....

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Invicta58 says...
5:22pm Mon 24 Sep 12

Slonic – looking back at old press releases the High Street “Improvements” were supposed to be “Vibrant and Exciting” whereas these new developments will bring”Vitality and Excitement” .

Slightly different PR buzzwords were picked out of the pot to describe this scheme so obviously there will be a different outcome and this work will survive for at least two years.

I'll be excited when the High Street get completely redone.

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Peony says...
8:38pm Mon 24 Sep 12

The words 'vibrant' were used to describe Cotmandene High Street when Bromley Council were closing Leesons Centre and pushing people with learning difficulties into two converted shop fronts. I suggest they employ PR men with a wider vocabulary, or better still, break an habit of a lifetime and start telling us long suffering ratepayers the truth.

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bill brockey says...
9:55am Tue 25 Sep 12

i'l be in the priory taven orp 8pm all this week

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Bob Downondiss says...
11:21am Tue 25 Sep 12

Well if you're buying Bill, I'll see ya in there.

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Invicta58 says...
11:26am Tue 25 Sep 12

bill brockey wrote:
i'l be in the priory taven orp 8pm all this week
You won't - it closed over two years ago !

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Peony says...
3:48pm Tue 25 Sep 12

Invicta58 you are brilliant. Bob and Bill (or should I say Bill and Ben) go slink back into your lodge and try another ploy to save the council's reputation.

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Bob Downondiss says...
9:42pm Sat 29 Sep 12

Peony come on down, get ya belly up the bar luv. Then you can...........

Bob Downondiss.

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Loopyloz says...
4:41pm Tue 9 Oct 12

It won't change the 80% of scum that 'shop' or should I say steal/retreat/pester in that high street!

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