I am very aware of concerns expressed about the health of the Town Centre following Decathlon’s recent closure.
This was not good news for the Town Centre and no-one would pretend otherwise, but let’s be clear about what happened. This was a commercial decision taken by an individual retailer and should be viewed as part of the wider challenges facing the entire retail sector across the country. Like many places, Crawley is having to adapt to long-term changes in consumer behaviour such as the growth of online retail and hybrid and home working.
But it also needs to be viewed in context, otherwise the positives risk being ignored. Crawley remains one of the South East’s principal retail and commercial centres, attracting around 1.2 million visitors every month from across West Sussex, Surrey and the wider Gatwick Diamond area. The latest published data shows a town centre vacancy rate well below the national average.
County Mall continues to perform strongly – attracting over 6 million visits per year, has a vacancy rate of just 5.6% and has reported an increased footfall over the last year.
The Station Gateway regeneration scheme is in full swing, with £7.4 million being invested in the transformation of the public spaces on the Martlets, Haslett Avenue West and Friary Way, as well as a revamp of Crawley bus station. This is part of nearly £30 million invested in the town centre since 2016.
Throughout the year, there is a programme of events, including the annual Christmas lights switch-on, regular markets in Queensway and the High Street Summer Sounds programme of free, live music.
Crawley Borough Council is also actively shaping future phases of Crawley’s town centre regeneration, presenting a dynamic and exciting vision for long term sustainable growth.
Saying all this, I warmly welcome the Labour government giving councils additional powers to restrict the numbers of vape shops and betting shops that can be opened. Many people don’t realise that virtually all retail units in the town centre are privately owned and until now the council really couldn’t prevent a concentration of any particular types of business. Hopefully the new changes will underpin this effective local action, helping create more variety for shoppers in the future.
Crawley town centre has real momentum and a strong future. This isn’t to be complacent, or to deny issues where they exist, but there is a real danger of overreaction as well.
No town centre is immune from the changes currently affecting retail across the UK. The council is doing what it can, where it can, and we will continue to look for new opportunities to reinvigorate the Town Centre where it is within our control.
Cllr Michael Jones
Leader, Crawley Borough Council