A town centre shopping mall is “in robust health” and won’t be turned into flats, bosses say.
Rumours circulating in Dover suggested Charlton Shopping Centre was set to be bulldozed to make way for a residential development.
But managing agents working on behalf of the site’s owners say there are no such plans and stress the centre will remain open.
The 1981-built site is earmarked for 100 homes in Dover District Council’s Local Plan – a blueprint envisaging where homes will be built in the district up to 2040.
But Labour-led DDC, which is in the process of modifying its plan, says the multi-storey car park at the back of the centre is now the only part of the site being considered for development.
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Simon Crowley, project manager for Tersons estate agents, which is working on behalf of the owners, says speculation surrounding the future of the centre is a “nothing story”.
“The council is apparently adding the site to the Local Plan without agreement from the landlord who is not planning on redevelopment,” he said.
“I can say 100% that I had a meeting with the landlord three weeks ago and they are not considering redeveloping the site. There is nothing in this rumour.
“The centre is also in robust health.”
The Charlton, in the high street, has continued to survive despite fierce competition in the town from the giant St James’ Retail and Leisure Park, which opened in 2018.
It was feared this development would suck business away from traders in the rest of the town centre.
But Mr Crowley says there is “lots going on” at the mall, which is home to 22 units.
Its multi-storey car park features 300 spaces and is accessed via Crafford Street at the rear of the centre.
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“The more it is used the more likely we can get the landlord to support improvements,” Mr Crowley added.
“A 40-year-old building that has not really had any investment since it was built is hard to run and costs lots. People using the amenity of the shops and cafe will help that happen.
“No one will ever know just how hard it is to stand still at the centre, but with the hard work of the business trading there, we do our best to keep the wheels rolling.”
The centre is now a hub for small and independent businesses rather than branches of store chains.
It includes a base for the community group Dover Big Local and Dover Pantry, a shop combating food poverty by selling at cheaper quantities.
The traders there also include Dover Knit and Stitch, Burnap and Abel estate agents, The Mirror Man, which sells hand engraved personalised mirrors, and Unity Sound, which has recording, mixing and mastering services.
“It is full of shops, has a large car park and is a handy shortcut between the High Street and Maison Dieu Road,” he added.
“At some point I believe the town centre will move back towards the High Street. There is less need to go to the precinct, for example because banks have shut.”
In the town’s Market Square NatWest is closing on July 16, Lloyds shut down on April 11 and Barclays ended there in June 2021.
Halifax in the Biggin Street precinct closed in September 2022.
The news that the Charlton is staying open has brought elation and relief for customers.
Angela Such says she has been using the site, which now features 14 flats on its upper level, since it first opened.
“Now I know it’s going to stay open I’m pleased,” she said.
“I come here almost every day and I’ve been using it since it’s been open. We wouldn’t be able to do anything without it.”
Ms Such explained she depends on the centre for items such as food and furniture.
Her partner Jeffrey Knight said: “It’s a nice relaxing place, we play bingo and eat in the canteen. It’s a stupid rumour.”
Another centre user, Tina Jenkins, said: “I’m glad the rumour’s not true. I used to work in the cafe here, helping out, and sometimes I still come here.”
Fellow customer Dinah Miles said: “I meet friends here, we buy from the cafe, play bingo and we all have a laugh.
“On and off I’ve been coming here for 28 years. The Charlton is a really good place.”
One of the businesses there is Sleepyhead Beds.
Directors Chris Getliffe and Nabeel Mattardi said in a joint statement: “We have been serving the Dover community and surrounding areas for 11 years and will continue for another 11 years and beyond.
“Having developed an established business in Dover, building relationships with our customers and suppliers, our growth will continue.
“We would like to thank all our customers for their continued support.”