The Mall (Bromley)

The Mall (Bromley)
Location Bromley, London, England, UK
Opening date 1970
Management Henry Boot Developments / Collier and Madge, Carpark managed by NCP
No. of stores and services 21
No. of anchor tenants 3
No. of floors 1 shopping (most shops on more than 1 floor), 4 car parking

The Mall is a shopping centre in Bromley, South East London, United Kingdom. It is small in size and is often overshadowed by the main shopping centre in Bromley The Glades. It is not connected with or owned by The Mall Fund, a company operating shopping centres across the UK using 'The Mall' and then the town name as branding for each centre.

The Mall is owned by Henry Boot Developments; the shops between and including Art at home and The Mall News are owned by Threadneedle Property investments. The reason for this is because this building was there before The Mall opened. At that time it was wholly occupied by British Gas showroom. In 1979 75 High street as it was and still partly is was divided into 7 units (75 High Street (currently Art at Home), another 75 High Street (which remained a British Gas showroom, now KFC), 32, 28/30 (which has never been individual units), 26 and 24 and was extended up to the part currently owned by Henry Boot Developments (currently Strattons Jewelers).

The Mall appeared on the cover of the 1982 album Sounds like Bromley by Bromley-born Billy Jenkins. The picture is of the rear of what is now Poundland (Bromley Toy Fayre and Bramber Womenswear at the time) to the right and the car park above Argos (J Sainsbury at the time).

Original Planned layout (not too accurate or to scale)

Contents

Re-development

The Mall has been re-furbished and re-developed by Henry Boot Developments with completion in 2007[1]. The document is however inaccurate, it says that The Mall was originally built in the early 1960s. The Mall was originally built in the late 1960s and opened in September 1970 on the land which was previously a school that was still there in the early 1960s. Another inaccuracy is that they claim that the property had been underinvested for almost 30 years before it was acquired by Henry Boot Developments in approximately 2003, suggesting there were underinvestments since 1973. This is not true, because in 1973 The Mall had only been open for 3 years and there were developments in 1983 with kiosks added which were later removed in approximately 1985, 1993 and 2000.

The redevelopment planned to bring new shops, a gym, large department store and bike parking however the bike parking was not installed and the planned gym was later converted to office space which has never been occupied (although has been used by the maintenance company The Mall uses). The large department store became Uniqlo, Poundland and an empty shop, Poundland extended in to half of the empty shop.

Layout plan for renovation (not too accurate or to scale)

Phase 1

The shops along the east side were extended at the front and back. The first floor from those shops were taken away except for Poundland which also has the first floor of unit 6 (currently vacant but used to store the Christmas decorations). The lift and stairs were moved from between the buildings to next to the east side of the building.

The west side was not extended but the 1st floors were made smaller and raised. The shops on the west side were originally meant to have the 1st floors as retail use, they were designed to have a large balcony overlooking the lower floor and windows from floor to ceiling however only sevenoaks furniture use unit 4 in the way these units were designed to be used. Currently unit 1 has their 1st floor covered up with a wall covering where the balcony should be, unit 2 has a false ceiling with approx 6 foot high empty space above it and unit 3's 1st floor is covered up like unit 1 but it used by shoezone in unit 2.

Sevenoaks Furniture extended the upper floor of Unit 1 in approx. 2004. Unit 1 has the largest upper floor out of units 1-4. Due to the upper floors being small Shoe Zone also has the 1st floor of Unit 3 and Emporium Seven were seeking permission to extend the first floor of unit 1 making the 1st floor almost as big as the ground floor.

Phase 2

The entrance to offices was moved, and the building which is occupied by Sports World was built with an additional floor for a gym and space for parking bikes on the ground floor to meet Bromley council's request for bike parking. The gym and bike parking ideas were later scraped, the gym became office space which has never been occupied by a company long term.

Shops

Not to scale

Current shops

Henry Boot Developments owned part

Name Floors Currently Occupied by
Unit 1 2 (Ground + First floor) Art @ Home
Unit 2 2 (Ground + First floor) including above unit 3 Shoe Zone
Unit 3 1 (Ground) Krista Curtains
Unit 4 2 (Ground + First floor) Sevenoaks Furniture
Unit 5 1 (Ground) Uniqlo
Unit 5a (Unit 6) 1 (Ground) Vaccant
Unit 7 2 (Ground + First floor) including above unit 5a Poundland
Unit 8/9 2 (Ground + Basement) Bright House
Unit 16 2 (Ground + First floor) Strattons Jewellers
Unit 17 3 (Ground + Basement + 1st floor) Argos
Unit 21 1 (Ground) Wesley Owen Christian bookshop
71 High Street 2 (Ground + First floor) Sports Direct

Threadnedle Property Investments owned part

Name Floors Currently Occupied by
Unit 18 2 (Ground + First floor) The Mall News
Unit 20/22 2 (Ground + First floor) Nicks Café
Unit 24 2 (Ground + First floor) Games Workshop
Unit 26 2 (Ground + First floor) Priya
Unit 28/30 2 (Ground + First floor) Vacant
Unit 32 2 (Ground + Basement) Socho
75 Highstreet (1) 2 (Ground + Basement) KFC
75 Highstreet (2) 2 (Ground + Basement) Your Local - Bromley

Current offices

Berkley House

Atlas House

Previous shops since redevelopment

Henry Boot Developments owned part

Seven Oaks Furniture - Moved to Unit 3
Innovision Opticians (2007)
Jingle Bells Christmas Shop (2009)
Emporium Seven (Bromley Store) (2010/2011) - Website - Moved to The Glades (Bromley)
Seven Oaks Furniture - Moved to Unit 4
Home Express
Street Value (also unit 8)
Office Angels (while the entrance to the offices above was being moved during phase 2 of the redevelopment)
Street Value (also unit 3)
Venture Photography studio

Threadneedle Property Investments owned part

Lodge Grill Café (Lodge Grill was the longest occupant at the mall - approx. 40 years and was one of the first shops in the Mall)
Footpath Candles and Gifts
Sugacane
Art
Art at home

Before redevelopment

Old layout before redevelopment

Previous shops before redevelopment

This is in relation to the old floor plans above in the before redevelopment. This is a list of almost all (if not all of the shops) that have ever been in The Mall, Bromley. The dates are approximate years and may be a year out.

HMV (1971/2 - 1978)
GKD Furniture (1978 - 1985)
GKD Bedroom Furniture (1985 - 1992) - Moved to Widmore Road
The fitted Furniture Centre (1992 - 1995)
Mercury one 2 one store (1995 - 1997)
Teleworld (2001/2)- Moved to the high street and later The Glades Shopping Centre
Lodge Grill (1971/2 - 2003)
Evans (1971/2 - 1979)
Bromley Toy Fayre (1979 - 1981) - Moved to unit 13
Carousel TV (1981 - 1985)
Heritage Pine Furniture (1986 - 1991)
Discount pine Furniture (1991 - 1995)
The Children's Society Charity Shop (1995)
Lunn Poly (1971/2 - 1978) - Moved to Widmore Road (Now Thompson)
Frank Dunllop Travel agent (1978 - 1992)
Sue Ryder Charity shop (1993 - c1999)
The Baby shack (1999)
Just Jeans (1999 - c2003)
Hings Gifts (1971/2 - 1974)
Bromley Tool Centre (1974 - 1976)
Parkers Tools (1976 - 1978)
Parker Shop Tools (1978 - 1980)
Mr Stanley DIY (1981 - 1983)
Midal (1986 - 1992)
Snap Womenswear (1992 - c1994)
Sofas Direct (1994) - Moved to Unit 12/14
Mathews Butchers (1971/2 - 1992)
Priya (1999 - 2004)
John Manson Butchers (1972 - 1979)
Bramber Womenswear (1979 - 1988)
Hooks Books (1988 - 1989) - Moved from Westmoreland Place Shopping Precinct, Bromley
Dillons Booksellers (1989 - 1999) Bought by Ottakers who opened a large store in The Glades Shopping Centre
Bromley Sports (1971/2 - 1990)
Blass Sportswear (1990 - 1991)
Riverside Sportswear (1991 - 1993)
Games Workshop (1993 - 2003)
Crayford Carpet/furniture (also Unit 13 until 1974) (1972 - 1976 at unit 9)
Voaue Furniture (1976 - 1979)
RCA Bromley Chemist (1971/2 - 1978)
Shears Lady's hair (1987 - 2003)
Fairdeal Vintners off licence (1972 - 1976)
London Electric Board Showroom (1971/2 - 1992)
Kinch & Lack PLC Childrenswear (1992 - 1993) - Moved to unit 23
Gordon Thoday Haberdashery (1993 - 1995)
Sofas Direct (1995 - 1996)
Sevenoaks Garden Furniture (1996 - 2003)
Crayford Carpet/furniture (also Unit 9) (1971/2 - 1974 at Unit 13)
Harris Carpets (1974 - 1981)
Bromley Toy Fayre (1981 - 1988) - Moved from Unit 3
Tandy (1988 - 2000)
Sevenoaks Furniture (2001 - 2002)
J Sainsbury (1971/2 - 1989)
Indoor Market (1989 - 1990)
Shopping World (Various smaller units - similar to the previous Indoor Market store) (1991)
Argos (c1992 - Present)
Times Furnishings (1971/2 - 1988)
Iceland (1988 - 1990)
Charity Shop - Mason Owen (1991)
Beehive Bar & Restaurant (c1992)
Wesley Owen Restaurants (1993 - 1995)
Wesley Owen Bookshop (1995 - c2003/present) - Moved to new Unit 21)
Crown Paint and Wallpaper (1971/2 - 1974)
Ideal Paint and Wallpaper (1974 - 1978)
Crest China (1987 - 1993)
Kich & Lack (1993 - 1995) - Moved from Unit 12/14
Crystal Palace Football Club shop (1997 - c1998)
Sevenoaks Furniture (2000 and again in 2003)
Office entrance
Entrance to Office Angels (? - 2010) - Now above WHSmith in the high street
Alan (?) Menswear (1971/2 - 1976)
Jean Kelly Men's and Women's wear (1976 - 1983) (With Unit 29)
Breeds Cutlery (1983 - 1988)
Remington Cutlery (1988 - 1993)
Sue Ryder Charity shop (1993 - 1995)
The Tanning Shop (1995 - 2003)
Shoe Priya (2003 - 2004)
Send a Card (1971/2 - 1974)
Prisma TV (1974 - 1976)
Jean Kelly Men's and Women's wear (1976 - 1983) (With Unit 27)
Touch of Glass (1985 - 1988)
Cash Rec (1995 - 1996)
Spirit of the Past (1999)
The Mall News (2000 - 2005) - Moved to Unit 18
Broomfields Bakers (1971/2 - 1978)
Just Growing Children's wear (1978 - 1979)
Sidney John Deli (1979 - 1992)
Bromley Catering co (1992 - 2003)
Trads Sandwich bar (2004 - c2005) - Now in Unit 20/22 with Lodge Grill
Steads Leather goods & footwear (1971/2 - 1980) - Moved to Unit 24
Blessings Gifts and Cards (1980 - 1990)
Baby Boom (1990 - 1993) - Was going to move to the glades but didn't
Clo (? - ?)
What's New Pussycat (1999 - c2005)
Civic Radio, TV and electricals (? - 1976)
Loyds Radio, TV and electricals (1976 - 1978)
Roundabout womenswear (1978 - 1980)
Sur Ryder Charity Shop (1980 - 1981)
Leeds Permanent Building Society / Halifax (1981 - 1995)
Martys Recordings (1999 - c2000)
Hamptons (2003 - 2004)
Priya (2004 - 2005) - Moved to 61 Highstreet before moving to unit 26
Ghinne Knitwear (? - 1978)
Mackays clothing and drapes (1978 - 1981)
Superdrug - (1981 - 2003) - Superdrug also had a store in The Glades
Santa's Trading Co (Christmas 2003)
7Oaks (2004 - 2005)
Easy Car Car rental (Early 00s)

Not part of the original building

Bromley Bookshop (1978 - 1979)
Peppermint Womenswear (1979 - 1982)
Strattons Jewelers (from 1983 - Present)
Spencers Household Goods, Furniture, pottery and gifts (1980 - 1985)
Omni-gen stores (1985 - 1986)
Rage clo Gifts (1986 - 1992)
Bears n Bunnies (1996 - 2005)
The Mall news (2005 - Present)
Pie in the sky (1999 - 2001)
Orient express restaurant (c2003)
Lodge Grill (c2003 to Present) - Moved from Unit 2
Streads Leather Goods & Shoe (1980 - 2001)
Discount Luggage centre (2001 - 2003)
Games Workshop (2003 - Present)
Ronald Keith Footwear (1979 - 1986)
MPK Ltd Jeweler (1983 - 1986)
Pickfords Travel Agent (1986 - 1993)
Going Places (1993 - 1999) - Moved to the High Street
Y.M.C.A Charity shop (2000)
Hamptons (2004 - 2005)
Priya (c2007 - Present)
Shalets Fabrics (1980 - 1996)
Ideal Drapery (1996 - 1997)
East & West (1998) (Logo still on the shop floor)
Footpath Gifts (1999 - c2008) - also 32 but 28/30 and 32 were kept separate
Sweetie confectionery (1980 - 1985)
Whones Audio & TV (1985 - 1989)
Sony Centre (1989 - 1992)
Moved by Music (1992 - 1993)
Temporary gifts (c1993 - 1999)
Footpath Gifts (1999 - 2003)
Socho (2003 - Present)
British Gas plc Showroom / Energy centre (? - )
SD Stores (2000 - 2003)
KFC (2003 - Present)
Albon Pain Baker (1979 - 1981)
Cabret Womenswear (1981 - 1995)
Marco Polo China (1995 - 1999)
The Outlet Women's Wear (1999 - 2000)
Hamptons (2000 - 2001)
Art (2001 - c2009)
Art @ Home (c2009 - Present)
T. Cosson Fruit & Veg (1983 - 1988)
G. Nash Fruit & Veg (1988 - c1993)
Mr Snob Shoe Repair (1983 - c1996)

Transport

There are two train stations in Bromley that serve the mall.

References

  1. ^ http://www.henrybootdevelopments.co.uk/images/developments/DevPDF/10_64_67.pdf