TRADERS are fearing for their high street with a decision on whether to build a second multi-million pound shopping centre on their doorstep just weeks away.
Shopkeepers in The Broadway, Debden, are expecting to hear whether plans for a 10,000 square foot retail park can go ahead in nearby Langston Road next month.
Some have already noticed the impact of the £1.45 billion Westfield shopping centre, which opened about two weeks ago 20 minutes down the Tube line in Stratford.
Suvhash Shah, who owns Tony’s Hardware in The Broadway, said: “On the first day Westfield opened, trade fell by half and the last two Saturdays have been quieter than normal.
“I had a colleague who went there at the weekend and he couldn’t walk in, it was so busy.”
Business owners along The Broadway are worried that the centre in Langston Road will take footfall away from them, because of the ease of parking there and the competition likely to be posed by large chain stores.
The district council has told traders that only fashion stores will be allowed to open on the park, but Mr Shah said he wanted greater assurance that this will be the case.
“If worst comes to worst, will they start selling it off to whoever pays the highest price?” he added.
Beryl Sullivan, of The Party Shop, also in The Broadway, said: “People are coming in and saying they’re going to Westfield, so that’s obviously what they’re doing.
“As far as Langston Road goes, the minute that opens, we will all be closed.
“There’s been talk about food outlets over there, from meetings and things, so it’s not looking good.”
Sandra Worster, who runs butchers K&P Fresh Foods, said: “I want to see something in black and white that guarantees there won’t be shops that are going to affect the traders already here.
“We certainly don’t want to see another supermarket there.”
The council is expected to make a decision on the outline plans for the Langston Road retail park at its development control committee meeting on October 19.
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