'Aliens' save Eden from being Hades

4:51pm Friday 4th April 2008

Comments (0)   Have your say »

SO, HAVE aliens landed in High Wycombe and taken over our town? That's my only possible theory after reading the letters pages of the Bucks Free Press for the past two weeks.

The new Eden centre has been subjected to wave upon wave of attack by members of the public who are disgruntled about various aspects.

I understand that at last some positive letters have arrived in the Free Press' postbag this week, but the deluge of criticism has been relentless up until now.

It's been so bad that I was going to launch a campaign to rename the centre Hades'. But then I ventured inside - or outside as some critics would bitingly add - and was struck by the sheer volume of shoppers.

Eden was heaving with people of all ages, shapes and sizes at the weekend. If people hate it so much, where did all these crowds come from?

And yes, the parking is monstrously expensive. I overstayed in Newlands one minute past five hours on a Saturday evening and was charged a staggering £8. Of course it's too much, but then again, I recall being in Newlands on several occasions in the past at the same time on Saturday and the car park was dismal and empty, despite being cheap.

In this brave new expensive world, the same car park is packed. So work that one out for yourself. Is it the presence of my aliens, or has it been caused by an influx of rich folk from Gerrards Cross?

In many ways, the answer is irrelevant, because it's clear that High Wycombe now works as a town.

It's right people are concerned about the impact on the rest of the town centre and the lack of disabled parking. But something had to be done to rescue High Wycombe and I have no doubt Eden will one day be seen as its saviour.

Moan all you like, but the bottom line is that Eden is packing in the crowds.

Shoppers have voted it a success with their feet, and until that changes, everything else is just chatter.