Sutton Council buys St Nicholas shopping centre

Sutton Council has bought the long leasehold on the St Nicholas Centre in Sutton High Street.

The Council already owns the freehold and this will help to ensure the town centre’s future by giving the Council greater control over a key landmark on the High Street, which covers 4.7 acres of land in the heart of Sutton. The property also includes the recently refurbished Empire Cinema and 740-space car park.

The £26m purchase has been made as part of the Council’s ambitious plans to regenerate the town centre and ensure that the future high street offers the local community an attractive destination with a range of businesses and organisations located there.

As the Borough manages its recovery from COVID-19, this is a great opportunity to shape our future, rebuilding communities and the local economy after the impact of the pandemic making a Stronger Sutton for all our residents. We would like everyone to have their say on what that looks like, so please look out for a consultation coming soon.

Councillor Ruth Dombey, Leader of Sutton Council, said:

“The purchase of the St Nicholas Centre offers us an opportunity to ensure the future vitality of our High Street. As the long leaseholder, we will have much greater control and influence over a key asset in our borough and can ensure that any future development is in keeping with our vision for the town centre.

“The way people are interacting with their local areas has changed as a result of the pandemic and we will ensure that we respond to the needs of local people and businesses in a post-pandemic world, as we deliver our town centre regeneration plans.

“Delivering a vibrant high street that responds to today’s leisure, consumer and employment demands is more important than ever as we seek to rebuild Sutton’s communities and economy after the impact of the pandemic.

“We will work with our local residents, businesses and voluntary and public sector partners to fully understand their needs and to ensure that we are safeguarding the centre of Sutton for future generations.”