Upper High Street Development

10.30.00am GMT Mon 14th Mar 2005

Supermarket proposed by Helical Bar

Regeneration of the Upper High Street shopping area in Epsom is being aimed at by council planners. A recent proposal from developers to build on part of the car park, as well as the adjoining Allam's garage and Iceland store, was approved by a government inspector after being rejected by Epsom & Ewell's planning committee. This could not go ahead, because the car park is owned by the Borough Council. However to try and attract more shoppers into the town centre, the planners are now considering an alternative development as a supermarket, by new site owners Helical Bar.

Councillors were recently given a presentation by Helical Bar's planners and architects, showing various options. Part of the car park could be included in the development. Lost parking space could be outweighed by fresh parking provision as part of their proposals.

Discussions are at an early stage and so far no planning application has been submitted. Following the closure of Sainsbury's in Epsom High Street and the Iceland store, council planners want to introduce more food shops to supplement Waitrose and the Co-op. They claim that Sainsbury's in Kiln Lane does not attract people to other shops in the town centre.