ompete commercially with the more developed
centres at Kingston and Sutton. Part of the problem was the shortage of
locations for large anchor stores to attract customers. After a number of years
in which the council seemed unable to find a solution The Centre Court shopping
centre was developed on land next to the station providing the much needed
focus for retail expansion. The shopping centre incorporated the old town hall
building. A new portico, in keeping with the old work, was designed by Sir
George Grenfell-Baines who had worked on the original designs over fifty years
earlier
