New Malden has lived in the shadow of Kingston Town Centre for too long.

We are keen to see how we can improve New Malden's High Street and its surrounding shopping territories, i.e. Burlington Road, Malden Road and Kingston Road. Any thoughts?

This is a great topic of conversation and definately something i think people want addressed judging from previous posts on NMP.

I'd be interested to know what the rent charges are for the empty shops on the high street - surely it's better to have shops filled than sat empty? Independant shop owners need to be given more support from both the community and the council.

The yealry New Malden Fortnight is great draw for people visiting the high street to see the parade and the craft stalls. Another town i visit has crafts stalls on the run up to christmas every sunday which is a homely idea.

As for Burlington Road - it's become a very messy and untidy road. the shops don't look enticing, and with such a large choice of Sri Lankan and Korean supermarkets to choose from, it would be nice to balance it out with perhaps a a small Budgens or Londis. Just somewhere to get a apck of sausages and yorkshire puddings when you forget them on a Sunday!

What other thoughts have you recieved BCLocal_KT3, and how to you intend to go about making them happen. I'm sure some of the New Malden People commnity would be keen to help.

We aren't alone! Surbiton, Tolworth, Norbiton and many other surrounding areas have the same if not worse situations. The world isn't what it once was, would you ever have envisaged New Malden High Street having a Poundland, Card Factory, numerous betting shops, numerous charity shops and cafes, a '98p plus' store on it? But then again ask yourself do these companies just open up anywhere or do they research these things and see where there is a need? We (the UK, not just New Malden) are reaping what we sow, if we want everything for the lowest price possible then the quality of the High Street will diminish, as independent traders are unable to compete with the power of the multiples/supermarkets. On the side of empty shops and their landlords, to defend them (which goes slightly against the grain), if it was your shop would you like to watch it stand empty and have to continue paying the rates, seriously affecting your livelihood, or would you rent it to an interested party? Then think who would be an interested party, would you open up a shop on the High Street at the present moment? The answer is probably no and the reason why there are so many charity shops and cafes on the High Street is because to date there aren't many online charity shops and you can't eat online, therefore, giving them a captive audience. I love being a retailer on the High Street and enjoy being part of this community, but it is this community that can save the High Street. So I would ask you to shop local, challenge the retailer to meet your needs, we have to be able to meet the needs of our customers if we want your business, so tell us what you want, how you want it, we will let you knwo if we can do it and we should be able to grow together, leaving Kingston in our shadow!!! In the famous words attached to Lord Kitchener..... Your High Street Needs You!