Yesterday Bucks Council agreed on a million-pound regeneration scheme for High Wycombe town centre with House of Fraser and the Chilterns Shopping Centre and other properties on Frogmoor likely to go through significant changes.
Day after the Council’s further announcement atmosphere inside the Chilterns Shopping Centre on a stormy Wednesday afternoon was peaceful as half of the retail space stood empty when we spoke to shoppers and businesses there.
Although Chris Miller, owner of the picturesque Air Raid Shelter Café has seen footfall increase to Chilterns Shopping Centre, he was excited about moving as the “town can’t support two shopping centres.”
“As long as the Council support the businesses that are in here and help us find new premises, I think that’s the most important thing, because there are some really interesting, independent businesses in the Chilterns Shopping Centre.
READ MORE: High Wycombe: House of Fraser & Chilterns Shopping Centre overhaul
“So hopefully the council will support us but we don’t know any time frames.
“We’ll be here until at least next year."
A college student Aaron Wood said: “I think the redevelopment will probably be a positive thing because this side of Wycombe probably needs a bit of a retouch, because it’s not as interesting to look at as the Eden Centre.
“Obviously some of the shops are going to lose out but as long as they move them somewhere and put them somewhere new rather than just leave them to be I think it will be a good thing.”
Shopper Neil Brown said: “I didn’t realise it was going to be mainly residential.
“I have noticed there’s a lot less shops in here than there ever used to be and something needs to be done regeneration wise.”
Born and bred in High Wycombe, Sak, who only gave his first name, wanted to keep the space going.
“I disagree with it being developed into mainly residential use to be honest.
“I think they should keep the shopping centre here.
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“They should regenerate it into another, new shopping centre, make it more modern and open more shops here as so many shops here are closed," he said.
Anything will be an improvement to Chilterns Shopping Centre, friends Chris McNally and Katie Rodgers said.
“I used to work in a business that was in this shopping centre, and I’m surprised it hasn’t been done before now.
Ms Rodgers added: “It’s very outdated compared to other areas of High Wycombe and it definitely needs something.
Katie, who usually only visit Primark when at the Shopping Centre, said the space should be “something a bit more community-driven”.
“Either that, or, there is a housing shortage, so affordable housing. But emphasis on affordable,” Chris said.
Kevin Bailey, who works full-time at the Collectables R Us shop in Chilterns Shopping Centre said:
“We’ll be moving out anyway.
“Whatever they do I hope it’s pleasing for everybody.
“But if it’s residential I wonder where will they park? There’s enough cars as it is.
“It would be nice so stay and have the Centre repaired, but obviously because of the powers that be it won’t happen.”
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