Grand revamp plans could aid Erith's suffering traders

A PLANNING application to redevelop Erith's town centre was lodged with Bexley Council on Monday.

For the traders who have managed to survive the gradual decline of the town, the news will be a lifeline.

Rockcliffe, the property company which has taken over the scheme to revamp and revitalise Erith, won the backing of the town forum last week for its plans.

They include:

l The demolition of the entrance tower of the multi-storey car park;

l Three new large stores on the existing council car park in the High Street;

l The diversion of the buses-only section of the High Street to the front of the new stores;

l A new glass-covered shopping arcade linking the new stores and the existing town centre shops;

l The demolition of the car park above the shopping centre and the creation of 28 two-bedroom, four three bedroom and 12 one-bedroom flats;

l A new 27,000 sq ft store created on the corners of the existing High Street, Pier Road and the town square.

This has already been let to Wilkinson's. Peacock's is another company interested in taking on one of the new stores.

The arcade of shops between Bexley Road and the town square will also get a new glass roof and there will be gates to close off the shopping centre at night.

A new site for Erith market has been pencilled in for Pier Road and the existing car park will become a public car park for shoppers.

The whole of the town centre will have a facelift with a new rendered and brick facade to cover the unsightly concrete and the town centre's CCTV system will also be expanded.

Tenants still trading in the town centre will be relocated temporarily or permanently to allow the work to go ahead and the company says it hopes to re-launch the new-look town centre in the spring of 2004.

Rockcliffe says it will also run the town centre as well as redevelop it, and depending on its success, there could be more investment from the company in the town.

(Comment page 19)

November 28, 2001 9:42

Linda Piper