The New Look For The Putney Exchange
All change inside & out and the stained glass is saved!
Works have now begun to re-develop 96-98 Putney High Street building works have now begun to herald a new retailing era at The Putney Exchange and Putney High Street. The owners have listened to its loyal customers and local residents who still refer to the centre as “The Putney Exchange” and this will now become its official name.
The new scheme, which received planning permission earlier in 2012, will demolish and re-develop the existing properties at 96-98 Putney High Street in order to reconfigure and modernise the entrance to the shopping centre.
The new unit will be designed using glass and stone cladding to create a high quality contemporary building with a large, attractive glass entrance to form an impact along the High Street. Due to popular request, the stain glass feature will remain as part of the design. It is planned to remove the stained glass as part of the redevelopment works in order to professionally restore it and replace it beautifully illuminated to resume its rightful place as the centre piece of the newly formed high street entrance.
The development site includes the entrance to The Putney Exchange and the two adjacent stand-alone units at numbers 96 and 98 Putney High Street (formerly occupied by Thomas Cook and Millets). It also includes the building of a two storey extension to The Putney Exchange which, along with the reconfiguration of the first floor, will create a new 21,250 sq ft unit for fashion multiple H&M who will move into the space in November 2013 with a Spring 2014 target opening date.
Changes are also being made to the rooftop level of the car park which will be extended to create an additional 45 shopper car parking spaces. An exciting initiative will be the installation of 6 electric vehicle charging points working in partnership with Source London. This is partly in response to the well documented and unacceptably high levels of pollution present in the town centre and to promote the message of more environmentally friendly driving.
Reconfiguring the layout of the shopping centre itself will allow for a renewed public toilet and baby care suite which will be relocated to another part of the shopping centre. The baby care suite will have a number of features designed to make shopping with young families at The Putney Exchange an absolute pleasure and not a chore. There will be a separate baby changing area with specially designed comfort seating and a separate dedicated feeding area. These services will be available for visitors to enjoy from May 2013.
Anne Partridge, centre manager said: "This new, contemporary scheme will allow Putney to develop its point of difference and maintain its competitive edge over other regional shopping centres which are investing heavily in the London area. Not only will it improve the town centre’s appeal but it will create a modern, attractive environment that we hope residents and visitors will want to spend time in. It should also encourage more local loyalty to Putney especially from those who prefer the convenience of not having to travel long distances to larger centres. We’re also very much hoping that it will create employment opportunities both during development and once the works are complete.”
Work started end of February with the erection of scaffolding outside the entrance to Mall One which is adjacent to the properties due to be demolished. Demolition of 96-98 High Street is scheduled to commence mid March.
The works have been meticulously planned to minimise disruption to through traffic, local residents and shoppers. The project managers are Workman LLP and the appointed contractor, Millers, has signed up to the Considerate Contractors Scheme. A monthly newsletter as well as information panels inside The Putney Exchange will aim to keep local residents and shoppers informed of progress.
The regeneration of The Putney Exchange frontage is fully supported at national, London Plan and local planning policy level. It will significantly promote the viability and vitality of Putney, enhancing its role as one of the five defined town centres within the Wandsworth Borough.
March 8, 2013