Café culture plan promises to be Sutton’s cup of tea

15 October 2008

Proposals to transform Sutton town centre in south London have been unveiled by the borough council.

Drawn up in response to extensive consultation, the £3.5M plans promise to transform the entire length of the High Street and connecting roads, attracting more visitors and boosting the town centre economy.

The designs feature new paving, lighting and furniture, using sustainable materials, where possible. There will also be more trees and climbing plants on buildings, and increased space and infrastructure encouraging events, performances and markets.

More than 200 bollards and other street furniture – such as concrete planters – were removed this summer, to pave the way for the work, set to begin in April 2009. In a trial, traffic has also been banned from the High Street at set times to encourage an outdoor café culture.

A bid for funding has been submitted to Transport for London, while the work will also be paid for through Section 106 money. Cllr Lyn Gleeson, Sutton’s executive member for regeneration, said: ‘The town centre is the borough’s economic, shopping and entertainment heart, and I am keen to inject new life into it. ‘The plans are the result of more than 12 months of consultation with all interested parties, including the Town Centre Partnership, businesses, residents, and other partners including the police.’

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