A city centre shopping centre is in “good health” and will not be converted into apartments, according to bosses.
In Dover there were rumours that the Charlton shopping centre would be demolished to make way for a housing development.
But managers working on behalf of the site’s owners say there are no such plans and insist the centre will remain open.
The site, which was built in 1981, is earmarked for 100 homes in Dover District Council’s local plan, which outlines where homes are to be built in the area by 2040.
But the Labour-led DDC, which is in the process of revising its plan, says the car park behind the centre is now the only part of the site eligible for development.
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Simon Crowley, project manager at Tersons Real Estate, an estate agency working on behalf of the owners, says speculation about the centre’s future is “a hollow tale”.
“Apparently the council is adding the site to the local plan without the consent of the landlord, who has no plans for redevelopment,” he said.
“I can say 100% that I had a meeting with the landlord three weeks ago and they are not considering redeveloping the site. There is nothing in this rumour.
“The center is also in good health.”
The Charlton, on the High Street, has survived fierce competition from the huge St James’ Retail and Leisure Park, which opened in 2018.
There were fears that this development would draw trade away from the rest of the city centre.
But Mr Crowley says there is “lots to do” at the shopping centre, which has 22 stores.
The car park has 300 spaces and is accessible from Crafford Street at the rear of the centre.
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“The more it is used, the more likely we are to get the landlord to support improvements,” Mr Crowley added.
“A 40-year-old building that hasn’t really been invested in since it was built is difficult to run and costs a lot of money. People who use the amenities of the shops and the café help make that happen.
“No one will ever know how hard it is to stand still in the center, but with the hard work of the companies that operate there, we do our best to keep the wheels turning.”
The centre is now a hub for small and independent businesses, rather than chain stores.
It includes a base for the community group Dover Big Local and Dover Pantry, a shop that combats food poverty by selling food at lower prices.
Also among the stockists are Dover Knit and Stitch, Burnap and Abel brokers, The Mirror Man, which sells hand-engraved, personalised mirrors, and Unity Sound, which offers recording, mixing and mastering services.
“There are lots of shops, a large car park and it is conveniently located between the High Street and Maison Dieu Road,” he added.
“At some point I think the town centre will move back towards the High Street. There will be less need to go to the police station, for example because banks are closed.”
In the town’s market square, NatWest will close on July 16, Lloyds closed on April 11 and Barclays closed in June 2021.
Halifax in the Biggin Street area is closing in September 2022.
The news that Charlton will remain open brought joy and relief to customers.
Angela Such says she has been using the location, which now has 14 top-floor apartments, since it opened.
“Now that I know it’s going to stay open, I’m happy,” she said.
“I come here almost every day and have been using it since it opened. We couldn’t do anything without it.”
Ms. Such explained that she relies on the centre for things like food and furniture.
Her partner Jeffrey Knight said: “It’s a nice, relaxing place, we play bingo and eat in the canteen. It’s a stupid rumour.”
Another user of the centre, Tina Jenkins, said: “I’m glad the rumour isn’t true. I used to work in the café here, helping out, and I still come here sometimes.”
Fellow customer Dinah Miles said: “I meet friends here, we buy something in the cafe, play bingo and we all have a laugh.
“I’ve been coming here occasionally for 28 years. The Charlton is a really good place.”
One of the companies there is Sleepyhead Beds.
Directors Chris Getliffe and Nabeel Mattardi said in a joint statement: “We have been serving the community of Dover and the surrounding areas for 11 years and will continue to do so for another 11 years and beyond.
“Now that we have built an established business in Dover and established relationships with our customers and suppliers, our growth will continue.
“We would like to thank all our customers for their continued support.”