Recommendations for the future of Beckenham High Street
Beckenham Civic Society (BCS) publishes a report today giving its recommendations on the future of Beckenham High Street. The report is available here to download
The report comes at a time when high street shops and businesses face increasing challenges from the economic downturn and against the background of a number of other recent reports at national level, including the long-awaited Portas Review, commissioned by the Government.
The Society's report urges the local council, London Borough of Bromley, to adopt pro-active planning and marketing measures to promote Beckenham as a vibrant village-style High Street, as per Wimbledon Village and Dulwich Village. Visual appeal is vital, so there are many practical recommendations for improving the High Street's appearance and cleanliness. Urgent action is needed to tidy up empty shops; while local retailers need more support through reduced business rates, especially for start-up enterprises. Short-term parking also needs to be cheaper and easier.
London Borough of Bromley's last Review of Beckenham, presented in late 2009, recommended creating Shared Space in the high street, effectively mixing pedestrians and vehicles together, but Beckenham Civic Society's report advocates a more practical approach. It recommends traffic calming measures to help pedestrians feel at ease whilst still maintaining the bustle and vibrancy that every successful high street needs.
The aim of the Society's report is to provide a consensus of opinion from a wide range of interests and to stimulate debate in the local community. BCS members, members of the public and shopkeepers were consulted at an early stage and care has been taken to reflect their views in the report.
BCS Chairman, David Wood says: "We would like Bromley Council to give our Recommendations thorough consideration and not to impose upon the people of Beckenham concepts and proposals that do not have a consensus in the community."
The Society believes that even in economically stringent times there are many opportunities to make improvements. Many of its recommendations are cost neutral and also, it is hoped that Beckenham will soon benefit from the London Mayor's Town Centre regeneration fund, which would allow considerable upgrading of our High Street. Press enquiries:
For further information about Beckenham Civic Society's report, please contact DAVID WOOD, Chairman of Beckenham Civic Society: Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). Tel: 020 8650 4191
12 December 2011
Notes to the Editor:
Beckenham Civic Society was founded in 1943 to stimulate residents' interest in local planning, heritage and development; to study national and regional planning principles and policies and to consider how they could be most successfully applied to the Beckenham area. Also to consider which amenities, social and otherwise, could be introduced into Beckenham for the benefit of residents.
Beckenham Civic Society is registered with The London Forum, Civic Voice and Federation of Bromley Residents' Associations.
Beckenham lies within the London Borough of Bromley. Although very much a town (with a population of approx 82,000) its centre still has a desirable 'village' character. It has many of the key advantages of a traditional village: a winding road, parish churches, a village green, a school and a historic pub The George. Alongside well-known chains such as Boots and W H Smith, it has locally-rooted, independent shops which give it individual character, eg a sausage shop, kitchenware shop, toyshop and clothes shops, and a lively night-time economy of pubs, bars and restaurants.