Shop owners in New Addington's Central Parade are hoping to use a £40,000 grant to counter the threat of a new Tesco being built across the road from their businesses.
They are using the money given by Croydon Enterprise to beef up security at their shops and to give the parade a much needed facelift.
They also want to ensure potential customers getting off trams and buses pass their shops first.
The money will be used to install new lighting and put security gates in stairways leading up to the private housing above the shops. These had previously been full of rubbish and provided an ideal escape route for shoplifters.
In addition, the car park in front of the parade will be improved, as will the appearance of the front of the shops.
Ken Burgess, pet store owner and chairman of Central Parade Business Partnership, said businesses were dismayed when they found out the Tesco development was going ahead.
"It came as a shock because there was this huge threat from a major multi-national competitor which we feared would reduce our side of the parade to a series of empty shelves," he said.
However, Mr Burgess said he and his fellow traders realised that change was inevitable and that if they managed it properly, it could be a huge opportunity to improve their businesses.
"There has never been anything to galvanise the owners into action but now their money and livelihoods are on the line," said Mr Burgess, who has been trading successfully in the Parade for 30 years.
He added. "All we want is to be able to compete on a level playing field."
Ken Sherwood from Croydon Enterprise was full of praise for the business partnership which has been working with Tesco to ensure the area is improved.
"The businesses have said that they are willing to maintain the work carried out to improve security and they are going to put money aside. Because of this we have been able to get the area improved," he said.
Are you looking forward to Tesco arriving in New Addington? Post your comments below.
12:23pm Wednesday 19th March 2008
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CommentPosted by: Karen, CROYDON on 12:55pm Wed 19 Mar 08
Be honest. What do the majority of the shops at the Parade have to offer. Most of the shops look like they need rebuilding etc a load of 'new' grocery shops selling overpriced goods. The CO-OP and Woolworths needs knocking down and rebuilding (have you seen the ceiling in there, it can't be safe) We need a bit of life injecting into New Addington.
Be honest. What do the majority of the shops at the Parade have to offer. Most of the shops look like they need rebuilding etc a load of 'new' grocery shops selling overpriced goods. The CO-OP and Woolworths needs knocking down and rebuilding (have you seen the ceiling in there, it can't be safe) We need a bit of life injecting into New Addington.
Posted by: SV, Croydon on 1:13pm Wed 19 Mar 08
Karen from Croydon should stop moaning. Ken Burgess is right. A bit of work will improve New Addington Parade.
BUT DO NOT knock New Addington too much. The parade has a good mix of businesses on it and the Co-op stuck with New Addington when Tesco moved out...
The parade is lucky to have a Woolworths, good bakers, cafes, DIY, pet stores etc as well as the market twice a week.
Ken & Team are right to prepare for the Tesco development because now it is a single phase it will disrupt the parade far more.
Karen from Croydon should stop moaning. Ken Burgess is right. A bit of work will improve New Addington Parade.
BUT DO NOT knock New Addington too much. The parade has a good mix of businesses on it and the Co-op stuck with New Addington when Tesco moved out...
The parade is lucky to have a Woolworths, good bakers, cafes, DIY, pet stores etc as well as the market twice a week.
Ken & Team are right to prepare for the Tesco development because now it is a single phase it will disrupt the parade far more.
Posted by: Billy, Croydon on 4:07pm Wed 19 Mar 08
Tescos should be welcomed with open arms by anyone wanting variety, fresh, realistically priced, quality goods. Only those peddling shoddy, overpriced items have anything to fear.
Tescos should be welcomed with open arms by anyone wanting variety, fresh, realistically priced, quality goods. Only those peddling shoddy, overpriced items have anything to fear.
Posted by: Arfur Towcrate, Staffycher on 8:41pm Wed 19 Mar 08
Tesco stands for Total Elimination of Smaller Competitors' Opposition.
Tesco should be napalmed.
Tesco stands for Total Elimination of Smaller Competitors' Opposition.
Tesco should be napalmed.
Posted by: bring it on, addo on 1:15am Thu 20 Mar 08
As for ken the con man burgess he is only worried because he wont be able to rip people off with his over priced stock once tesco get there. He dont care about the parade only himself, As for the other run down dirty shops a bit of competion is whats needed to bring down some of the over priced goods, These shop owners no that half of people up here are on income support and dont own cars to travel so they over charge because they no we will pay i say bring on tesco lets all save some money, as for ken and his so called team hold on to your hats its going to get hard....
As for ken the con man burgess he is only worried because he wont be able to rip people off with his over priced stock once tesco get there. He dont care about the parade only himself, As for the other run down dirty shops a bit of competion is whats needed to bring down some of the over priced goods, These shop owners no that half of people up here are on income support and dont own cars to travel so they over charge because they no we will pay i say bring on tesco lets all save some money, as for ken and his so called team hold on to your hats its going to get hard....
Posted by: bring it on, addo on 1:23am Thu 20 Mar 08
[quote]Shop owners in New Addington's Central Parade are hoping to use a £40,000 grant to counter the threat of a new Tesco being built across the road from their businesses.[/quote]
IF I WAS YOU KEN I WOULD GIVE SOME OF THAT MONEY TO THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE ABOVE THOSE SHOPS SO THEY CAN BUY SOME NEW NET CURTAINS LOOKS DISGUSTING.
Shop owners in New Addington's Central Parade are hoping to use a £40,000 grant to counter the threat of a new Tesco being built across the road from their businesses.
IF I WAS YOU KEN I WOULD GIVE SOME OF THAT MONEY TO THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE ABOVE THOSE SHOPS SO THEY CAN BUY SOME NEW NET CURTAINS LOOKS DISGUSTING.
Posted by: Mark.S & Spenser., Qualityville on 2:06pm Thu 20 Mar 08
Sounds like Ken and his pitchfork carrying carrot crunching folk have got the kick up the @rse they needed , typical greedy small shop owners though to not use their own money to make the improvemnets.
Sounds like Ken and his pitchfork carrying carrot crunching folk have got the kick up the @rse they needed , typical greedy small shop owners though to not use their own money to make the improvemnets.
Posted by: Mike Melbourne, Ex -New Addington on 3:08pm Thu 20 Mar 08
I used to work for Electrico Ltd in the late 60's/early 70's Central Parade was a busy shopping area but that was of course before the Government and councils allowed the big supermarket chains to build where ever they liked.Good luck to the traders on Central Parade.
I used to work for Electrico Ltd in the late 60's/early 70's Central Parade was a busy shopping area but that was of course before the Government and councils allowed the big supermarket chains to build where ever they liked.Good luck to the traders on Central Parade.
Posted by: carol treagus, doncaster on 6:53pm Fri 21 Mar 08
i lived in addington many years ago and loved it i still go there now to see my brother he lives abouve the shops and he as a smashing flat sparkling clean people there are not all tied with the same brush. and yes i am all for tesco being there.
i lived in addington many years ago and loved it i still go there now to see my brother he lives abouve the shops and he as a smashing flat sparkling clean people there are not all tied with the same brush. and yes i am all for tesco being there.
Posted by: donny, croydon on 9:39pm Thu 27 Mar 08
i lived in addington many years ago and hated it i still go there now to see my brother who has an asbo and a smashed up flat. people there are tarred with the same brush (ignorant, lazy and with eyes a little too close together). rightly so. and yes i am all for tesco being there as it stops them building one near me... oh well, maybe not!
i lived in addington many years ago and hated it i still go there now to see my brother who has an asbo and a smashed up flat. people there are tarred with the same brush (ignorant, lazy and with eyes a little too close together). rightly so. and yes i am all for tesco being there as it stops them building one near me... oh well, maybe not!
Posted by: jazz, naddigton on 3:10pm Thu 17 Apr 08
This place has been on the most ignored list of the council for some time.Look at all other areas of croydon and u will see what i mean. Its high time somethings done to improve the ambiance.Its not just the shopping centre but the whole works(leisure centre etc) which will def. improve quality of life here.
I am ashamed to ask ppl to come via central parade ....usually ask them to take king henry's drive or much better if one can manage via biggin hill!!!
This place has been on the most ignored list of the council for some time.Look at all other areas of croydon and u will see what i mean. Its high time somethings done to improve the ambiance.Its not just the shopping centre but the whole works(leisure centre etc) which will def. improve quality of life here.
I am ashamed to ask ppl to come via central parade ....usually ask them to take king henry's drive or much better if one can manage via biggin hill!!!
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