Shopping centre could be ‘demolished’ in five years
By Joe Coughlan, Local Democracy Reporter
A shopping centre could be “demolished” in five to ten years’ time, with a large number of shops in the space being left “unoccupied” as a result.
Riverside Shopping Centre in Erith, Bexley, could be knocked down in the next five to ten years, according to plans found on the Bexley council website.
The news comes in planning documents from Se & Se Consultancy Ltd, on behalf of ICMG Bexley.
The planning application seeks to convert a unit in the shopping centre into a set of five classrooms.
It also said the large number of empty shops in the centre may allow for a lower price of rent to be achieved for the space.
Planning documents said: “It was mentioned that the owners of the shopping mall are considering demolishing the mall within the next five to ten years and replacing it with a new development.
“As a result, there is a significant number of unoccupied shops. ICMG Bexley plans to make use of this opportunity by renting space at below-market value for temporary use.”
The unit was previously an Argos store before closing in 2020, with other retail shops such as Wilko shutting its doors in the centre last September.
The former Argos space has also been used as a pop-up cinema by the Erith Town Partnership, a collective of local businesses aimed at promoting the area for residents.
The plans said the space would be well suited as a learning centre given its town centre location.
Riverside Shopping Centre was bought by BYM Capital in 2021, after being listed by Savills that year for £18million.
The centre includes over 165,000 square feet of shop space and approximately 800 parking spaces.
A BYM Capital spokesman said: “We are currently exploring different options for the site but haven’t as yet developed any plans for our long-term interest in the site.
“Any plans would include discussions with the council and the community including a public consultation as part of any major planning application.”
Pictured top: The Argos store in Riverside Shopping Centre before it closed in 2020 (Picture: Google Earth)
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