SHOP HORROR
Iconic shopping centre loved in the 90s set to be demolished – as devastated customers say they ‘can’t believe it’
High streets across the UK are changing
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.
1
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.
READ MORE NEWS
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.
Most read in Money
"Big names have disappeared, some escalators and lifts are non functional and fountains are all gone! My, how shabby this place has turned."
These are the UKs 6 BEST Primark’s for all your 2024 shopping needs - voted for by you
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."
This is in reference to The Backrooms, a fictional location originating from a 2019 4chan thread which described a large extra dimensional expanse of empty rooms.
Another person said: "I have lived in the area all my life and the once great shopping area is a dump."
Another added: "Sutton is now a derelict high street."
However, some were more positive about the need for change.
A local said: "I’ve lived in Sutton for 50 years and agree that it’s becoming a much more vibrant place, with the Sound Lounge, Oru and the new independent cinema.
"I too mourn all the shops, but our world is changing – councils can only respond to this and provide an atmosphere that attracts the businesses and facilities we want and need.
"I think there’s a great deal more to be done and it’s by no means perfect, but there’s room for hope. And yes, please, more housing – it’s desperately needed!"
READ MORE SUN STORIES
The proposed civic hub is due to be completed by mid-2029, with Sutton Council hoping it reduces its office costs by around £1million a year, according to ianVisits.co.uk.
The Omniplex Cinema and St Nicholas Centre Car Park will be retained.
Why are retailers closing stores?
RETAILERS have been feeling the squeeze since the pandemic, while shoppers are cutting back on spending due to the soaring cost of living crisis.
High energy costs and a move to shopping online after the pandemic are also taking a toll, and many high street shops have struggled to keep going.
The high street has seen a whole raft of closures over the past year, and more are coming.
The number of jobs lost in British retail dropped last year, but 120,000 people still lost their employment, figures have suggested.
Figures from the Centre for Retail Research revealed that 10,494 shops closed for the last time during 2023, and 119,405 jobs were lost in the sector.
It was fewer shops than had been lost for several years, and a reduction from 151,641 jobs lost in 2022.
The centre's director, Professor Joshua Bamfield, said the improvement is "less bad" than good.
Although there were some big-name losses from the high street, including Wilko, many large companies had already gone bust before 2022, the centre said, such as Topshop owner Arcadia, Jessops and Debenhams.
"The cost-of-living crisis, inflation and increases in interest rates have led many consumers to tighten their belts, reducing retail spend," Prof Bamfield said.
"Retailers themselves have suffered increasing energy and occupancy costs, staff shortages and falling demand that have made rebuilding profits after extensive store closures during the pandemic exceptionally difficult."
Alongside Wilko, which employed around 12,000 people when it collapsed, 2023's biggest failures included Paperchase, Cath Kidston, Planet Organic and Tile Giant.
The Centre for Retail Research said most stores were closed because companies were trying to reorganise and cut costs rather than the business failing.
However, experts have warned there will likely be more failures this year as consumers keep their belts tight and borrowing costs soar for businesses.
The Body Shop and Ted Baker are the biggest names to have already collapsed into administration this year.
Topics