Should the SPD include guidance to help the town centre adapt to key challenges such as the post-COVID 19 recovery?

Neutral

What do you think makes a good Town Centre?

Lots of independent eateries! Lovely vibe to the place

What would you like your area to look like in the future?

I'd like more flats so that people can live locally to the centre of Orpington. More businesses will benefit from that.

Do you have any other comments in relation to planning for recovery post-COVID 19 and adapting to changes to the role of town centres?

Please lower business rates to encourage new ventures to come forward. I hate seeing boarded up shops. What would you rather have, no income or lower income?

Should the SPD include guidance to help the town centre adapt to key challenges such as the post-COVID 19 recovery?

Mostly positive

What do you think makes a good Town Centre?

Locally owned/run businesses, which participate in the community. Support such as reductions in rent/business rates shold be avilable for those businesses already there and struggling. Low levels of traffic, other than public transport and cycling, to allow for a) use of the road where passing others (2m apart etc); b) lower levels of air pollution, higher levels of which only exacerbates respiratory illnesses and c) a nice experience all round, easier to browse shops and restaurants and easier with small kids.

What would you like your area to look like in the future?

Low traffic, environmentally friendly public transport, more cycle parks to encourage more active travel, pedestrianisation would be great with cafes and shops using pavements and walking permitted in road, increased green spaces/planting/trees, reinvigorated market.

What could the town centre offer that it does not already?

Wider range of shops - currently mainly offers charity shops and poundland-type shops. I love the charity shops but there needs to be more than that to draw me to the town centre.

Do you have any other comments in relation to planning for recovery post-COVID 19 and adapting to changes to the role of town centres?

I really think active travel needs to be first and foremost, especially while public transport is restricted in capacity. I think there are lots of people who would get on a bike, me, my husband and my kids included, if they didn't think they were going to be knocked off.

Should the SPD include guidance to help the town centre adapt to key challenges such as the post-COVID 19 recovery?

Neutral

What do you think makes a good Town Centre?

Cultural activities and offerings, especially for families eg theatre, art, community events.

What would you like your area to look like in the future?

Pedestrian friendly areas, independent cafés, restaurants and shops.

What could the town centre offer that it does not already?

See above

Do you have any other comments in relation to planning for recovery post-COVID 19 and adapting to changes to the role of town centres?

Independent businesses need more support than ever.

Should the SPD include guidance to help the town centre adapt to key challenges such as the post-COVID 19 recovery?

Mostly positive

What do you think makes a good Town Centre?

The independent coffee shops & restaurants. The cinema & library are both great. Priory gardens are lovely.

What would you like your area to look like in the future?

Greener and more open spaces, less flats. The area outside the walnuts could be developed with more green space and seating. Some trendy bars and live music. A better high street with more clothes/gift shops - an H&M or Primark would help bring the college students into the high street and increase footfall. Increase trees, hedging and outdoor places to sit. Increase and enhance pedestrianised areas, with parking/drop off allowed for people with particular needs such as the disabled and elderly. Better and safer cycle routes in and around town with secure storage in town. Increase pedestrian crossings to encourage more people to walk rather than drive. A better market with arts & crafts, art exhibitions - these would help bring a bit more character to the high street. Regular events. Greater police presence.

What could the town centre offer that it does not already?

More for families and older children - A great leisure centre - the current one is run down and ugly. The bowling alley desperaetly needs updating, it's awful - dirty and the food is bad - it's grim inside, sticky carpet etc. A skate park (I think I heard something about this happening) & more for teenagers to do outdoors. Youth clubs. Better cycle lanes. Install water bottle re-fill points and more recycling stations (the current ones ae always full & overspilling). Refill shops.

Do you have any other comments in relation to planning for recovery post-COVID 19 and adapting to changes to the role of town centres?

Protect existing parks and green spaces from further development and expand their number and size where possible and encourage strong links in new developments to local green spaces (for mental and physical wellbeing, for cleaner air and carbon capture, for nature and wildlife). Increase areas of parks and green spaces managed for biodiversity and allow some areas to develop naturally. Ensure that where trees are removed for any development that they are replaced in the development with trees amounting to an equal canopy size. Full pedestrianisation of the High Street will provide for generous social distancing which will help limit the spread of Covis19 while still allowing access to shopping, library, food and leisure opportunities. A vehicle-free High Street (with some essential drop off points and disabled parking) will be the most welcoming for pedestrians and the community at large, leading to greater footfall and stronger recovery for retailers. It will also create the cleanest air and lowest carbon emissions.

Should the SPD include guidance to help the town centre adapt to key challenges such as the post-COVID 19 recovery?

Mostly positive

What do you think makes a good Town Centre?

1. What is SPD? 2. Variety

What would you like your area to look like in the future?

Less dominated by chains, with more space for independent stores, including particularly for "niche" shops.

What could the town centre offer that it does not already?

Newsagents. Currently WH Smith is the only place you can buy a newspaper. Electrical goods - nowhere to buy, eg light bulbs.