New start for shop owner (From Croydon Guardian)

New start for shop owner

9:45am Monday 16th April 2007 in

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The owner of a clothing boutique, forced out of St George's Walk to make way for the Park Place shopping centre, is starting all over again.

Joy Bowling opened 22 Collections two years ago. She claims the business was just starting to take off when the Park Place development was given the final go-ahead.

She has been forced to merge the boutique with a hairdressing salon in Broad Green because of the lack of affordable premises elsewhere.

Joy said: "When I took on the business I was told it was a three year lease, but they ended up moving me after just two. It is such a shame because it takes about three years for a business to actually start making a profit and just as mine was starting to take off I had to move."

I am really disappointed that St George’s Walk has had to go because it was a really nice spot and we had started to build up a really good client base. I am sorry for the businesses that have been there for a really long time because there really is nowhere for people to go.”

Joy Bowling

The boutique has moved to the front of her London Road hair salon, Halos Hair Designers. She added: "At the moment it is completely impossible for me to consider another shop. I lost quite a lot of money moving from St George's Walk and there would be no way I could do it."

Businesses have been gradually leaving the 1960s St George's Walk shopping centre since the Government announced it had finally approved Park Place.

Although there is still a degree of uncertainty over the huge, new shopping centre, shops are closing in preparation for the scheduled start of demolition work next spring.

Councillor Tim Pollard, cabinet member for finance and regeneration, said: "It is sad that some long-established businesses will have to move if they are to continue trading.

"There are, though, some parts of Croydon where premises are available. We will be delighted to offer every assistance in helping those displaced from St George's Walk find alternative accommodation."

Joy added: "I am really disappointed that St George's Walk has had to go because it was a really nice spot and we had started to build up a really good client base. I am sorry for the businesses that have been there for a really long time because there really is nowhere for people to go."