Lewisham shoppers have heaped praise on plans to bulldoze and rebuild the shopping centre at the heart of town.
Locals browsing at Lewisham Shopping Centre said they barely ever visited the complex, which is home to big brands like Marks and Spencer, H&M and The Body Shop.
The centre’s owner, Landsec, is consulting on plans to demolish the 45-year-old building and redevelop the entire site.
The proposals could see 2,500 homes built where the centre now stands alongside shops and offices.
Ben Needham, 47, had made a rare trip to the shopping centre to buy some clothes from Marks and Spencer for his kids.
Despite living just a 15-minute walk from the centre, he said he shopped there little more than once a month.
Mr Needham, who works as a production manager for live events, said : “I’m excited to hear about the plans for redevelopment.
"The whole block here with the car park is just tired and unappealing. It definitely needs redeveloping.
“The shops are a bit hit and miss. I’ve come for Marks and Spencer and I’ve been in WHSmith. If it wasn’t for the fact that I know exactly what I want from here I wouldn’t bother coming.
“I’ve been impressed by the Migration Museum and the part of the Berlin Wall on display here but having a little go at different areas doesn’t hide the fact this place does not compete with other shopping centres.
"The Glades in Bromley is bigger and better. I only come here once every three weeks.”
Nicola Harris was making her first big visit to Lewisham Shopping Centre since August last year to buy a new suitcase.
The 37-year-old teacher was disappointed to find the discount luggage shop at the centre had shut down and turned into a gallery.
She said: “I’ve come to look for a suitcase but the luggage store doesn’t look like it’s here anymore. I don’t use the centre very often but I think they should redevelop it and make it better.
“If I come in here I come for the TK Maxx, The Works and the jewellery concessions generally – they’ve got some blingy blingy stuff.
"And the popcorn and candy floss stalls. Most of the big shops here are also in Bromley at The Glades but it’s less spaced out there so here so can be more convenient.”
Behind the till at clothes boutique Italian City, the store’s manager Alex Zakharov was worried he wouldn’t be able to afford the rent if the centre was revamped.
The 34 year old said: “I’m concerned the rents will go up by lots if they redevelop the centre. Whether we stay and survive, it depends on the rent prices. It’s 50:50 at the moment.
“I’ve been here for two years and with Covid it has been difficult times. Quite a few shops have moved like Next and a few other big ones.
"There are quite a lot that have been taken over but it’s more like a market shops – it’s not the big brands. Before Covid I used to get lots of customers visiting from Africa and the USA but I don’t see that anymore.”
Construction work to bulldoze and redevelop the Lewisham Shopping Centre could begin as early as 2024, according to Landsec documents.
The centre’s multi-storey car park ramp would be turned into new public space as part of the plans.
Jon Watson, development director for Landsec, said: “We are really excited to share our big ideas for the ground and first floors and we are looking forward to hearing from local people on the proposals.
“Many of the ideas we are presenting have been influenced by the feedback we have had from the community so far. The re-invention of this space has the potential to be a place for people to live, work and most importantly enjoy their free time in a transformed town centre experience.
"We can’t wait to see what people think and are inviting everyone to get involved and have their say.”
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