Forum Topic

Southside Shopping Centre

I would like to enquire, from the powers that be, when the vacant shopping units in the Wandsworth shopping centre are going to be occupied. I love shopping there because it's so local and also because of it's recent transformation. However, the Centre could do with more shops like Woolworths, Gap, M & S, Matalan, Debenhams, Ravel to name a few. This would further revive the area.

Eva Thomas ● 7045d18 Comments

Hi Jim I replied on Putney forum to your posting on "Forums"

Jean Gilmore ● 6743d

Hello JeanSorry to hear about the state of the Southside Centre.Sounds as though not enough people care.Hope you're well and glad to see you on the Forums.

Jim Lawes ● 6743d

Yesterday I was going to a meeting at the town hall and arrived early so I thought I would look around Southside. the floor was dirty with what looked like human faeces no attempt being made to clear it up. I asked a security guard the way, he spoke no English. Before I left I wanted to use the toilet these were absolutely filthy. I noticed one of the shops had closed down. This doesnt say much for trade in Wandsworth. This is nearly a year since my last posting and things havent improved

Jean Gilmore ● 6744d

Today, as I had been to a meeting at the Town Hall, I thought I would have a walk over to Southside.There were buckets out to catch the rain,some of the shops were closed even though it was only 17:15 and there were youths playing football.I didnt see any security around to stop them.Certainly not my idea of a place to shop

Jean Gilmore ● 7005d

The Council's Economic Development Office tells me that the new owners of Southside (a company called Delancey, which bought it from Portfolio Holdings last August) are not yet actively marketing the empty units in the North Mall (between BBs and Vodafone) because they are still looking at various options for this and for Arndale Walk (the bit with the low ceiling that leads off the Central Mall towards Garratt Lane). However, they are close to signing up three new quality retail chains for empty units in the South and Central Malls; these could be announced within the next month or so.

Cllr. Richard Swansea ● 7032d

Yes

Jean Gilmore ● 7033d

Has Debenhams taken over Ardings & Hobbs?

Francis House ● 7034d

There is a Debenhams at Clapham Junction  so they are unlikely to open another one so near, Woolworths have downsized some of their shops in Wandsworth and Marks and Spencers do not seem interested in Wandsworth either

Jean Gilmore ● 7036d

It's interesting to get some critical but constructive feedback on Southside. Yes, there are still a number of unoccupied units; this may be because quality retailers like Debenhams and others mentioned in this thread need long lead times before they commit to new locations like Wandsworth. And remember that some of the empty units have only recently been vacated by their previous tenants as their leases expired.I hope that people in general agree that the new Southside is a big improvement on the old Arndale - just look at the new cinema complex and food hall, for starters! But it is still very much a work in progress.

Cllr. Richard Swansea ● 7036d

Yes I went quite recently, found it to be very uninspiring

Jean Gilmore ● 7040d

Have you been there since the refurbishment???? It's not as bad as you are making it out to be.......Go on give it a try.

Eva Thomas ● 7040d

Yes it has a rather lacklustre Waitrose(not my favourite supermarket)It became a haunt for youths in rather the same way that Bromley was spoilt by the Glades. I find it to be very claustrophobic

Jean Gilmore ● 7041d

Pretty at night..aat least!

Jim Lawes ● 7041d

""It opened in 1971 as an Arndale Centre development, and was at that time the largest shopping centre in Europe.""So ..what went wrong I wonder. Was it badly designed..or did it become the haunt of difficult visitors?Glad to hear that it has be refurbished (2003?) and hope it is able to attract some good shops. Is Waitrose there?

Jim Lawes ● 7041d

Compared to what the old Arndale centre looked like, Southside is definitely a million times better. But I still think it needs more shops....

Eva Thomas ● 7041d

Yes Francis they thought Southside sounded more upmarket  but it is still a dump

Jean Gilmore ● 7041d

Is that what used to be the Arndale Centre?

Francis House ● 7041d

Jim, Can you tell me if any new shops will be coming to Southside???

Eva Thomas ● 7043d

Some pictures of the Southside Shopping Centre:wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwand the Map:

Jim Lawes ● 7043d