Major refurbishment of architectural icon
The gentle arc of Loughton Broadway is one of the most distinctive architectural features in the Epping Forest district, and it is about to undergo a £5.3 million refurbishment.
The 1950s shopping centre and flats at the heart of the Debden Estate are about to undergo a £5.3 million refurbishment. Ground floor commercial tenants and residents of the first and second floor flats above, are receiving letters, outlining a series of phased works over the next 12 months. Work is due to start in January.
A better life outside London
The Debden Estate was part of the post-war recovery. Following the Blitz of London, high quality houses, flats and shops were built in the green suburbs of Essex. Many of the new residents first found themselves in prefabs, temporary prefabricated chalet-bungalows on land purchased by London County Council.
These were gradually replaced by bricks and mortar, as bombed out families found a better life outside London. The Broadway shops and flats was, and remains the hub of the local community.
Thriving shopping area
The Broadway today is a thriving shopping area. The rows of ground floor shop units now managed by Qualis on behalf of Epping Forest District Council are nearly all occupied, bucking the high street trend of increasing vacancy rates in other shopping centres. Many of the residential units above have been sold since the introduction of Right to Buy in the 1980s. Others are still rented out as traditional council housing.
Commercial leaseholders and residents will be receiving section 20 notification letters to kick-start the legal consultation process, before building contractors Mulalley can begin works. Scaffolding is expected to go up in January, keeping the festive trading period clear for local shop traders.
Planned works
The contract approved by the council includes the following:
- Roof replacements
- Window and balcony door replacements
- Front entrance door replacements
- Balcony and walkway replacement
- Concrete and brickwork repairs
- Bin store upgrades
- Redecoration of previously painted areas
- New flooring to communal stair cores
- Compliance works (fire and electrical)
Support for tenants and leaseholders has been prioritised. Epping Forest District Council is doing all it can to protect both the commercial interests of local businesses, and residential leaseholders, as well as its own council tenants.
An amazing architectural structure
Councillor Nigel Bedford, Cabinet portfolio holder for the council said:
The Broadway is an amazing architectural structure, and has been so since the first shops opened in the late 1950s. With these works we will ensure it continues to be so for many more years to come.
But the most important part of the Broadway is the people who live and work here. They are the real reason for the whole project. You could not undertake improvements of this scale without some disruption. Over the next 12 months or so we will do all we can to minimise disturbance. No one should need to leave their home and businesses will continue to trade. Qualis, Epping Forest District Council and Mulalley, will all be available on-site.
Together we will work with all our tenants and leaseholders to complete the works as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Putting residents and businesses first
Councillor Bedford continued:
Some of our tenants and leaseholders will also have concerns about the costs. Work of this scale does not come cheap, and we know people will worry about the costs of recharges.
But again we have made decisions that put our residents and businesses first. When the breakdown of recharge costs goes out, we will make it clear, no one has to pay anything up-front. We have developed a number of options to spread or defer costs to residential leaseholders and commercial tenants. Epping Forest District Council is a responsible landlord and pro-business council.
We have put our tenants and leaseholders first.
Good communication is key
Councillor Bedford added:
Good communication is key. Mulalley will set up a local site-office in the next few weeks. Mulalley, Qualis and Epping Forest District Council will all be present to talk with tenants and leaseholders face to face throughout the project.
We have produced a dedicated page on the council website, including a list of questions and answers that will grow as the project progresses.
Ward Councillor Stephen Murray has also agreed to work with me as a conduit on behalf of other ward councillors and directly with our tenants and leaseholders. I can’t wait to see work on site commence.
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