The owners of the shopping centre continue with ongoing investment in the Putney Exchange this year. Our gallery here shows some of the developments going on behind the hoardings.
To recap Phase One completed in May 2014 delivered the complete remodelling of the entrance onto Putney High Street and the creation of new modern “fit for purpose” retail space over two levels to accommodate the requirements of leading high street fashion retailer H&M.
During this time we opened Award winning rest room facilities complete with fantastic parent and child facilities including feeding and changing areas. We also took the opportunity to create more customer parking.
Phase Two
Over the past year you will have noticed that we have been taking back retail space formerly occupied by Next and latterly Waterstones. These units are now located behind the hoarding you are standing in front of. Toystop has relocated temporarily to the ground floor opposite Waitrose to make way for the changes to come and the Flowersmith has moved upstairs.
This area when compared to the atrium outside Waitrose felt congested in terms of imposing, heavy architecture which blocked visibility of stores and rendered the whole area darker and less attractive to shop.
Work has started on building the enclosure for the building site which at its full height reaches 13metres and it is approximately 20 metres long. Behind this hoarding there will be noticeable changes taking place including removal of the current lifts and the associated relocation with new, the removal of the spiral staircase ,the removal of the brass balustrades, installation of new shop fronts to four separate retail units and the replacement of the mall flooring.
Demolition of existing fixtures will start in August preparing the area for installation work due to start in November. Most of the work will be completed overnight reducing the impact on retailers and visitors during the day. The development is due to complete March 2017.
You may have noticed that we have had to create a temporary pedestrian route from the roof car park to the first floor in the absence of the spiral staircase. Direction for customers is provided in the form of Way Finding Signage. In the absence of the centre passenger lifts, customers with prams / buggies or wheelchairs can find alternative lifts located in both Waitrose and H&M.
This significant level of investment by the owners demonstrates ongoing confidence in Putney as a retail destination. There is recognition of the need to respond to the changing landscape of the Borough of Wandsworth . This includes the ongoing improvement of Southside Shopping Centre, the Ram Brewery site as well as the numerous plans in the pipeline by various developers to improve Putney High street. It is vital that we create an environment that is appealing to retailers, attracting brands that meet future customer demand.
Other relocations include the post box which is at first floor and Sky Retail which has relocated opposite Costa Coffee and Waitrose.