Vacant property: the Andrews estate agents’ shop, now empty awaiting new tenants
CROYDON COMMENTARY: Things are getting so tough in Purley, even long-established estate agents are selling up and moving out. iC’s loyal reader CHRIS MYERS outlines his concerns
To let: business has been slowing even for Purley estate agents
Just noticed the Purley branch of Andrews has closed.
I phoned them up and the guy said, “We decided not to renew the lease and share the business between our Wallington and Sutton branches.”
It’s a big place with frontages on the Brighton Road and High Street.
It looks like it’s up to rent for £35,000 per year, so I guess we can expect south London’s biggest chicken business to move in. Or a nail bar. Or another barbers.
If Andrews think locals will travel to a neighbouring borough to find a home, they are mistaken.
Space to fill: what business will move in next?
It’s a bit sad, because we bought our first Purley house through them a million years ago.
Yes, I know progressives sneer at estate agents but here in Purley it seems that barbers, chicken takeaways, bookmakers, charity shops and estate agents are all we have left.
I blame the Perry-Negrini-Newman axis, but the problems are a bit more existential than that…
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It has already been announced that it will be part of the Tariq Halal Meats Group
Looks of people rating down this comment but I’m not sure if they know what the Tariq Halal Meats Group actually does? Having another butcher in the high street isn’t a bad thing… unless of course you are a butchers shop already here!
In 2012, when planning permission was sought to build a mosque in Purley, over 200 bigots objected on the spurious grounds of traffic and parking. The Tory council even allowed a non-resident English Defence League troublemaker to speak at the Planning Committee meeting where the application was rejected under the Conservatives. It was finally approved by Labour, years later. Take the thumbs down as a badge of honour
There’s already a halal butchers in the High Street, just down from the old Andrews estate agents or, as we call it, the Super Chicken take-away
And about 7 places for a coffee so not sure what the issue is?
If you don’t know what the issue is, why did you post? I simply reminded everyone that there is already a nice halal butchers in the high street, which never seems busy.
I love the charity shops in Purley!
The decline of Purley has just been incredible. From the mid 80s to the late 90s, this was a lively area with a good range of shops. The rot started with the closure of the ABC cinema. Traffic at Purley Cross is a nightmare in terms of traffic. Tesco attracts a bad crowd and is far too big a site than is needed for the supermarket. Too many empty commercial buildings and run down premises with pop-up shops. Only the station is an improvement compared to how it was, although the derelict car park opposite gets worse.
The Council is to blame for the poor mix of commercial/residential and the ridiculous parking situation.
Sadly, the decline reflects national trends and economics. It’s a bit unfair to blame ‘the council’ for the poor mix of shops – they cannot magic up businesses willing to rent premises. But, what do you mean, ‘Tesco’s atracts a bad crowd’ – sounds a bit snobby to me? Anyway, I’m a Tesco shopper and proud of it – unrivalled range, good prices, 660ml bottles of Nigerian Guinness. What’s not to like?
Unfortunately this isn’t something that we can blame piss poor for completely. The Gov and Councils have been destroying the high street for years bleeding them dry of any and all operating profits often driving small businesses into debt. There is no way that high street businesses can compete with online retailers, staff costs, building costs, energy bills, business rates, licences for almost everything , H&S requirements the list is endless and all add a cost burden. Then there’s customer demand, it’s just not there. Which is why Westfield will never happen, unless it is supplementary as a planning requirement of building 1000’s of homes on the site