News Shopper: Businesses invest in Bexleyheath and Crayford town centres

Bexleyheath town centre means a lot to me. It’s where my working life began, as a Saturday boy at Marks & Spencer.

 

I went on to spend 11 years working for M&S at stores across the South East, so I know just how important our shops are to our local communities. High street businesses have had to battle the growth of internet shopping and the after-effects of Covid. We’ve watched familiar names disappear and many are worried about the future of our town centres. I’m lucky enough to have two fantastic town centres in Bexleyheath and Crayford, along with great independent shops in Northumberland Heath and small shopping parades across the constituency. It is therefore hugely encouraging to see so many businesses choosing to invest in Bexleyheath & Crayford.

 

The former Argos in Bexleyheath sat empty for many years, but thanks to the hard work of the Broadway Shopping Centre, we’ve seen Wingstop, Jamaica Blue and more recently Smoke & Pepper open. Choice has moved to a larger store in the former Poundland, and Clintons, which served Bexleyheath for many years before closing at the end of Covid, has returned. Choice’s move has also made room for a brand new Waterstones, opening on October 24, right next door to where Waterstones stood when I was a boy. How many high streets in this country can say they have attracted a brand new Waterstones? This is great news for Bexleyheath.

 

Barclays Bank has had a beautiful refurbishment and remains committed to the town centre, and I was delighted to attend the reopening of Buzz Bingo following its refurbishment. Every one of these is a vote of confidence in the area. Local businesses are backing the town centre too, voting over the summer to extend our Business Improvement District for a further five years. They host events all year round on the Broadway, and I want to pay tribute to Bexleyheath BID and to the Broadway Shopping Centre for all their work. Thriving high streets create jobs, attract investment and give people confidence in the future. For many young people, these openings could mean a first job, just as it was for me.

 

In Parliament, I continue to make the case for business, including support for hospitality and business rates reform, and regularly raise business concerns with Ministers. I’m delighted that by April 2027, 85 per cent of pubs and social clubs in our constituency will benefit from a business rates cut. Locally, I’ve successfully lobbied Tesco to reduce delivery congestion for traders in Northumberland Heath, supported events in the town centre run by the Crayford Community Group and have backed additional police presence in Bexleyheath on Friday and Saturday nights.

 

Running a business is not easy, and I want every local business to know about the help available. I’ve put together a business leaflet setting out the latest Government support, grants for recruitment and training, and where to find local help. You can read it here www.danielfrancis.uk/business