The main retail spaces in North Cheam and Worcester Park have been given a new lease of life with improvements to shop fronts plus new trees, benches, cycle bays, a mural and widened paths.
Sutton Council has worked closely on the project with business owners and residents to attract visitors, enhance the town centre characters, and support local traders.
In Worcester Park, the council worked with the traders on a section of Central Road to renovate and redesign shopfronts, install new paving and plant trees.
In North Cheam the parade between Courtenay Avenue and Lavender Road now has new awnings, shopfronts, lighting, bike racks and trees.
As part of the project, other activities have included holding street markets, improving the websites of the businesses and supporting their marketing activities such as loyalty schemes.
The project was made possible after Sutton Council successfully applied for funding grants from the Mayor of London and Transport for London. The council also used funding from a levy on developers which meant the cost to residents and businesses was kept to a minimum.
Feedback from the businesses involved has been overwhelmingly positive.
Cllr Richard Marston, Chair of the local committee which led the involvement of residents, said:
“We are committed to supporting our brilliant small businesses because they are a vital part of our local economy. Residents rely on them because they are personal, friendly, offer advice and are on the doorstep which reduces car travel. Shopping locally also ensures more money stays in the borough.
“We’ve brought new life to our local high streets at a time when they face significant challenges from out of town retail centres and online shopping. This is not traditional council work and finding new ways to fund what we do is also a part of this. We are moving with the times to help our communities in a practical way.”
Deputy Mayor of London for business and enterprise, Kit Malthouse, said:
“The facelift for North Cheam and Worcester Park is a great example of the Mayor’s commitment to high streets. Many of these small businesses in Sutton are entirely unique and provide an irreplaceable service to the community. In revitalising such wonderful shopping districts, we can ensure that the lifeblood of our town centres flows strongly for many years to come.”
Testimonials from traders involved with the project:
Gary Sadler, Central Locksmiths, Worcester Park
“I’ve been here 28 years and business has picked up. The improvements have made a difference, especially now we’ve got our loyalty card scheme. People come here because we’ve got a variety of shops on our high street and they offer specialist advice that you won’t get from main retailer
Peter Druhus, Cheam Food Centre, North Cheam
“It’s increased our sales so it’s definitely made a difference. It’s much better than before and more people are stopping.”
Ian Williams, Indigo Office Designs, North Cheam
“The biggest improvement has been the extra parking. The whole look of the parade is far better; it’s a proper trading environment.”
Chan Gammampila, owner of My Travel Expert
“The new shop front – especially the sign – has made a huge impact; people turn and look. We get a lot of people walking in now; it’s been really good for business. We opened in 2012 and as a travel agent provide specially-tailored holidays to destinations like Dubai, Sri Lanka and the Maldives. We have a website but this means we can offer a personalised service to local people.”
Grant Buckingham, Dual Tools Hire and Sale “We’ve been here since 1993 for both commercial and DIY. We deliver too. The cleaner look for the whole of our corner has had a big impact. The new sign has probably made the biggest difference; people slow down and look, especially with children going to school. The kids ask what it is and that reminds the parents. Pester power works.”